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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.

Nesmith and Siakam could only grimace at each other.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 7, 2026

"Some attendees, unable to tolerate the stench, grimace and cover their noses as they approach the flower."

From Salon • May 27, 2025

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

The Roach’s black lips pull back from his teeth in a considering grimace.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

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.