squinch

1 of 2

verb

squinched; squinching; squinches

transitive verb

1
: to screw up (the eyes or face) : squint
2
a
: to make more compact
b
: to cause to crouch down or draw together

intransitive verb

1
: flinch
2
: to crouch down or draw together
3
: squint

squinch

2 of 2

noun

: a support (such as an arch, lintel, or corbeling) carried across the corner of a room under a superimposed mass

Illustration of squinch

Illustration of squinch

Examples of squinch in a Sentence

Verb squinched down to fit under the table squinched up her eyes in disgust
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
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
Noun
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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'squinch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably blend of squint and pinch

Noun

alteration of earlier scunch back part of the side of an opening

First Known Use

Verb

1835, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of squinch was in 1835

Dictionary Entries Near squinch

Cite this Entry

“Squinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squinch. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

squinch

verb
ˈskwinch
1
: to screw up (the face or eyes) : squint
squinched in the bright light
2
: to make more compact
3
: to crouch down or draw together

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