Grimace

A Grimace is a contorted facial expression, often showing pain, disgust, or disapproval. It typically involves the muscles of the face twisting and distorting, revealing teeth or creating a wrinkled forehead. It is a nonverbal cue communicating an unpleasant emotion or reaction to something. A Grimace can be involuntary or deliberately adopted to convey a specific sentiment, and can be considered a universal human behavior, although the specific form of a Grimace may vary across cultures. It can be a fleeting expression or a sustained one depending on the situation. Frequently the face is contorted and might cause a person to seem less attractive or appear comical. The action can convey physical or mental distress. Grimaces are often used in dramatic performances or storytelling to heighten the impact on the audience.

Grimace meaning with examples

• The bitter medicine left a horrible taste, causing the child to scrunch up their nose in a grimace. Their face twisted, lips pursed, and eyes squeezed shut as the flavor hit them. It was an immediate and instinctive reaction to the unpleasant sensation, clearly showing their distaste and disgust.
• As he lifted the heavy box, a sudden sharp pain shot through his back. His face contorted into a Grimace as he fought to hold back a cry. The effort of the lift showed in his distorted expression, revealing a mix of physical strain and pain.
• She read the shocking news report and her expression hardened. A Grimace crossed her face as she processed the information, reflecting her disapproval and disbelief at the scandal that had come out.
• The comedian's routine included a series of exaggerated grimaces, meant to illicit laughter from the crowd. The face was pushed and stretched, twisted into strange shapes, creating a ridiculous effect and causing the audience to burst into uproarious laughter.
• He tried to hide his fear but a Grimace betrayed his anxiety. The corners of his lips pulled back, his eyes widened slightly. It showed his unease even though he tried his best to remain composed when his face was shown.
• The dentist told the patient to relax, but the person still showed their pain with a grimace