Showing results for "grimacing"

• present participle of grimace.

grimacing

American  

[grim-uhs-ing, gri-mey-sing] / ˈgrɪm əs ɪŋ, grɪˈmeɪ sɪŋ /

adjective

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

   To the grimacing dissatisfaction of coffee drinkers, pranksters had put salt in the sugar bowl.

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noun

1. the act of making a facial expression that indicates disapproval, pain, disgust, etc..

   Incoming patients can be made anxious by the grimacing of other patients waiting to be seen.

Other Word Forms

• grimacingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of grimacing

First recorded in 1740–50; grimace ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective; grimace ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

grimacing

The Lakers were down by nine when Doncic departed, rubbing the back of his left thigh and grimacing in discomfort and clear frustration.

From Barron's ● Feb. 6, 2026

“Tiny little mic,” she said, grimacing at a recent premiere.

From Salon ● Jan. 11, 2026

With his eyes closed and his face grimacing, he grappled for a bolt.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 7, 2026

LeBron James, whom we last saw on the court grimacing after a hip flexor strain, didn’t have much burst to the basket or much touch on his shot.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 19, 2025

So he sat there, sipping his tea and grimacing, as I reviewed Reb Saunders’ gematriyot.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok

Related Words

• contort
• frown
• scowl
• smirk
• sneer