1
2
as in to distort
to twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition
squinched up her eyes in disgust
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to flinch
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
didn't squinch a bit when the intruder pulled a knife on him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of squinch
Judith H. Dobrzynski, WSJ, 4 May 2018
Here, she's added parted lips, slightly sucked-in cheeks, and a subtle chin tilt on top of her master squinch.
—Chelsea Peng, Marie Claire, 1 Oct. 2015
Brick squinches, here decorated with windows and patterns mimicking those below, are not unique to the Samanid mausoleum.
—Judith H. Dobrzynski, WSJ, 4 May 2018
Take Karlie Kloss for example, who at Tuesday night's Paper Towns premiere, showed off her propensity for a professional squinch.
—Lauren Valenti, Marie Claire, 23 July 2015
Mary Carole McCauley, baltimoresun.com, 18 Jan. 2022
To deepen the illusion that life is just one big fashion spread, we've been trained to 1) smize, 2) duck face, 3) squinch, and now, 4) fish gape.
—Chelsea Peng, Marie Claire, 1 Oct. 2015
Striking a more calculated pose, Kloss squinches her eyes, which aids in further carving out her high cheekbones and defining her jawline.
—Lauren Valenti, Marie Claire, 23 July 2015
Verb
First, atop the cube sits an octagonal structure with arched squinches angled across each corner.
—Judith H. Dobrzynski, WSJ, 4 May 2018
Here, she's added parted lips, slightly sucked-in cheeks, and a subtle chin tilt on top of her master squinch.
—Chelsea Peng, Marie Claire, 1 Oct. 2015
Brick squinches, here decorated with windows and patterns mimicking those below, are not unique to the Samanid mausoleum.
—Judith H. Dobrzynski, WSJ, 4 May 2018
Take Karlie Kloss for example, who at Tuesday night's Paper Towns premiere, showed off her propensity for a professional squinch.
—Lauren Valenti, Marie Claire, 23 July 2015
Noun
Some boys and girls look directly at the camera, while others squinch up their faces.
—Mary Carole McCauley, baltimoresun.com, 18 Jan. 2022
To deepen the illusion that life is just one big fashion spread, we've been trained to 1) smize, 2) duck face, 3) squinch, and now, 4) fish gape.
—Chelsea Peng, Marie Claire, 1 Oct. 2015
Striking a more calculated pose, Kloss squinches her eyes, which aids in further carving out her high cheekbones and defining her jawline.
—Lauren Valenti, Marie Claire, 23 July 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squinch
Verb
-
Officers then discovered the man, who was identified as Gamboa, with a minor gunshot wound, crouched down among a small group of people.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
23 June 2025
-
On Saturday, at an anti-Trump No Kings protest in Salt Lake City, Utah, a man reportedly appeared to be crouching behind a wall, while carrying what looked like an AR-15-style rifle.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
Anyone claiming otherwise is distorting the truth to justify and reward discriminatory behavior.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
10 July 2025
-
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen accused China of distorting trade and limiting access for European firms two weeks ahead of a summit between the economic powers.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
When the conversation turned to the metaphorical messes — like heartbreak — the 54-year-old didn’t flinch.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
3 July 2025
-
Judge Subramanian didn’t flinch, siding with the government.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
Throughout baseball history, such collisions have been met mostly with grimaces and shrugs.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Monday’s developments were greeted with grimace around town.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
It’s said that General Eisenhower and General Montgomery huddled here ahead of the D-Day landings.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
10 July 2025
-
That refusal culminated in the siege of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, that left Pence huddled with police in a parking garage.—
Jim Martin,
IndyStar,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
Jheri curl references abound on TikTok and Reddit, often exchanged by users born upwards of 10, 20, or even 30 years after the hairstyle’s reign.—
Kelli María Korducki,
thehustle.co,
11 July 2025
-
The Dyson Airwrap Origin, a more streamlined version of the viral favorite Dyson Complete, uses the same Coanda airflow (without extreme heat) to curl, smooth, and volumize with just a few attachments.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
As the prosecutor described the fatal injuries her daughter faced, Scarbrough bowed her head and winced.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
3 July 2025
-
Dakota Johnson is more charming than usual here but moves like someone whose feet have never touched the ground, who has never winced looking at a bill.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Beantown frowns at each breaking news sounder on talk radio or ESPN insider post on social media.—
Bill Speros,
Boston Herald,
2 July 2025
-
Jamie frowns and starts to twist a little on his barstool, turning to face the ocean — and away from me.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squinch. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share