What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
grimace
Example
She grimaced in pain as the doctor examined her injured arm. [grimaced: verb]
Example
He made a grimace when he tasted the sour milk. [grimace: noun]
scowl
Example
She scowled at him when he interrupted her during the meeting. [scowled: verb]
Example
He had a scowl on his face when he saw the mess in the kitchen. [scowl: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scowl is more commonly used than grimace in everyday language. Scowl is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while grimace is less common and is typically associated with physical pain or discomfort.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between grimace and scowl?
While grimace is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, scowl can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.