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Synonyms

grimace

American  
[grim-uhs, gri-meys] / ˈgrɪm əs, grɪˈmeɪs /

noun

  1. a facial expression, often ugly or contorted, that indicates disapproval, pain, etc.

verb (used without object)

grimaced, grimacing

  1. to make a facial expression, often ugly or contorted, that indicates disapproval, pain, etc.

grimace British  
/ ɡrɪˈmeɪs /

noun

  1. an ugly or distorted facial expression, as of wry humour, disgust, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (intr) to contort the face

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • grimacer noun
  • grimacingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of grimace

First recorded in 1645–55; from French, ultimately from Frankish grima (unrecorded) “mask” ( grim, grime ) + -azo, from Latin -āceus -aceous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I know where it is,” he said through the grimace.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 7, 2026

“But they saw me grimace a little bit on the mound, and they’re not going to take any chances.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2024

Eyebrows dance above her piercing eyes as her mouth stretches into a toothy grin that’s part smile, part grimace.

From New York Times • Jun. 14, 2024

He missed, with a smile - or perhaps grimace - and a wink to go with it.

From BBC • May 23, 2024

With a grimace M. Bouc handed it back.

From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.