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squinting

squinting

3.1
The eyes are partly closed to see better in bright light or when it is hard to see
  • adjective
  • /ˈskwɪntɪŋ/
translation icon : 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
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

1 5.2

Aware of possible danger or change

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

How Closed

squinting
3.1
open-eyed
1 5.2
wide-eyed
27 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.