Word/Phrase: squinting

Associations

Squinting is when you partly close your eyes to see better, usually because there is bright light or something is far away. It's a natural reaction to help focus your vision.

• When it’s sunny outside, people often squint to protect their eyes from the bright sunlight.
• If you are trying to read something far away, like a sign, you might squint to see the letters more clearly.
• Squinting can also happen when you are looking at something that is not well lit, like reading in a dim room.

The word "squinting" is often associated with eye strain or trying to see something more clearly. A synonym could be "frowning" but "frowning" often implies a negative emotion while squinting is more about vision.

Substitution

Other words that can be used instead of "squinting" include:

• "narrowing" (which can imply just a slight closing of the eyes, but doesn’t necessarily involve trying to see something).
• "peering" (this suggests looking closely or intently, often when the subject is unclear).

Each of these alternatives has different contexts. "Narrowing" describes the action but doesn’t specify the reason, while "peering" indicates curiosity or investigation rather than an issue with visibility.