squinching
Tightening facial muscles
Squinching is the act of partially closing or tightening the eyes, often to see more clearly in bright light or to convey skepticism or scrutiny.
It differs from a full squint in being more deliberate and less severe.
In photography and modeling, squinching refers to a technique of slightly narrowing the eyes to appear more confident or intense in photos, popularized by portrait photographer Peter Hurley.
She was squinching at the screen, trying to read the tiny print.
Narrowing eyes to see
- peeringStudying something with concentration
- strainingExerting intense effort
- focusingConcentrating on one point
- blurrinessLack of visual clarity
eyestrain · myopia · astigmatism · glasses · glare · brightness · sunlight · dazzle
Slight pained recoil
- cringingShrinking in discomfort
- recoilingJerking backward in reaction
- flinchingInvoluntary recoil response
- grimacingDistorting face unpleasantly
bracing · irritation · sensitivity · photophobia · pain · glare · bright light · harsh light
Crushing into compact form
- crinklingMaking small creased sounds
- narrowingReduction in width
- contortingTwisting into unnatural shapes
- wrinklingForming small folds
puckering · furrowing · grimacing · tensing · tightening · creasing · pinching · compressing
Examining something very closely
- examiningInspecting with care
- studyingDeliberate learning effort
- puzzlingCausing confusion or bewilderment
- decipheringInterpreting coded information
analyzing · focusing · thinking · contemplating · pondering · reading · calculating · threading
Forcing into smaller space
- flatteningReducing to evenness
- distortionTwisting from original state
- lensLight-focusing curved glass
- wide-angleEncompassing broad vistas
perspective · foreshortening · spatial · depth · framing · composition · telephoto
squinting
Narrowing eyes to see
- peeringStudying something with concentration
- strainingExerting intense effort
- focusingConcentrating on one point
blurriness · eyestrain · myopia · astigmatism · glasses · glare · brightness · sunlight · dazzle · shielding
wincing
Slight pained recoil
- cringingShrinking in discomfort
- recoilingJerking backward in reaction
- flinchingInvoluntary recoil response
grimacing · bracing · irritation · sensitivity · photophobia · pain · glare · bright light · harsh light · smoke
scrunching
Crushing into compact form
- crinklingMaking small creased sounds
- narrowingReduction in width
- contortingTwisting into unnatural shapes
wrinkling · puckering · furrowing · grimacing · tensing · tightening · creasing · pinching · compressing · crow's feet
scrutinizing
Examining something very closely
- examiningInspecting with care
- studyingDeliberate learning effort
- puzzlingCausing confusion or bewilderment
deciphering · analyzing · focusing · thinking · contemplating · pondering · reading · calculating · threading · needle
compression
Forcing into smaller space
- flatteningReducing to evenness
- distortionTwisting from original state
- lensLight-focusing curved glass
wide-angle · perspective · foreshortening · spatial · depth · framing · composition · telephoto
squinchingrelaxing
Becoming less tense
loosening · opening up · unfurrowing · smoothing · softening
squinchingstretching
Extending muscles or material
expanding · spreading out · unfurling · extending · sprawling