squinting

1 3.1

The eyes are partly closed to see better in bright light or when it is hard to see

adjective
/ˈskwɪntɪŋ/

: entrecerrando los ojos

She found herself squinting as she tried to read the small print on the label.

Examples

She looked up at the sky with squinting eyes, trying to spot the airplane.
The squinting child couldn't see the screen clearly.
His squinting gaze suggested the sunlight was too bright for comfort.
The photographer asked the children to open their squinting eyes wider for the picture.
The squinting man struggled to see the board.
He was squinting against the bright sunlight to see the path ahead.
The squinting tourists shielded their eyes from the dazzling beach sun.

Synonyms

squinty

vssquinting

2 6.7

Having eyes partly closed to see better in bright light

refers to partly closed eyes used to see better, not a lasting facial trait

squinched

vssquinting

1 8.1

Eyes half closed to see better or keep out bright light

describes the eye state itself rather than an intentional narrowing to see

Antonyms

open-eyed

15 5.2

Aware of possible danger or change

clear-sighted

1 4.7

A person or animal that can see clearly, even far away

How Closed

squinting

1 3.1

open-eyed

15 5.2

wide-eyed

38 3.4

Surface Forms

squinting positive

Morphology

squinting = squint (transparent) = squint + ing

The adjective is a standard present-participle/adjectival form of the verb 'squint', so the meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

Squinting is easy to remember: imagine making your eyes into a small 'narrow' line so you can focus and cut bright light. That's why when you are squinting you partly close your eyes to see more clearly.