Pained expressions are facial expressions that convey a feeling of physical or emotional pain. GRIMACES, which are 8 letters long, are a type of pained expression that involve contorting the face in an exaggerated manner. Yows, which are 4 letters long, are another type of pained expression that involve making a sound of distress. OWs, which are 3 letters long, are yet another type of pained expression that involve making a sound of pain or distress.