Also known as: grimacing, awkward, cringe, yikes, nervous smile, teeth
The Grimacing Face (😬) shows a face with clenched teeth in an awkward grimace. It is the yikes emoji — the face you make when something is awkward, uncomfortable, or you are in a tough spot but trying to smile through it. Use it for secondhand embarrassment or acknowledging an uncomfortable truth. The clenched teeth make the forced smile unmistakable.
Not sure if 😬 is the right choice? The Grimacing Face emoji is best for expressing the specific emotions described above. If you need a different nuance, try one of the related emojis listed above. Each emoji carries its own emotional weight and cultural context — choosing the right one can completely change how your message lands.
Click the copy button above to copy the Grimacing Face emoji (😬) to your clipboard. Then paste it anywhere — iMessage, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, email, or any app that supports emojis. On desktop, you can also right-click the emoji and select "Copy Emoji" or use Ctrl+C (Cmd+C on Mac) after selecting it.