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

Grimacing, he plowed ahead, driven by the pain.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

Grimacing in pain, he took a knee and then headed straight to the locker room.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 29, 2023

Grimacing at times through the pain, Woods made a 12-foot birdie putt on the last hole to force a playoff.

From Washington Times • Jun. 10, 2023

Grimacing, he shut his eyes again and grunted: “I understand better than you think.”

From Slate • Dec. 24, 2022

Grimacing, I lean the pool cue against the wall, and bolt for the stairwell as Will books it in the opposite direction, back to our floor.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott

Related Words

• contort
• frown
• scowl
• smirk
• sneer