Phrase guide

pull a face

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To make an abnormal facial expression, either intentionally or because of an emotion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

contort the face to indicate a certain mental or emotional state

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He grimaced when he saw the amount of homework he had to do

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: grimace, make a face

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: communicate, intercommunicate

Narrower terms: squint, squinch, wince, smile, frown, glower, lour, lower, screw up, pout, mop, mow

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.