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Mouthhigh reliabilitysubtle

Lip Tightening/Compression

Pressing lips together tightly, often making them appear thinner or disappearing.

StressAngerDisagreementAnxiety

Visual Description

Lips press together, may turn inward, often accompanied by tension in jaw.

Duration: briefVisibility: subtle

How to Observe

  • Brief compression often signals disagreement
  • Note if lips actually disappear
  • Watch timing relative to conversation

Context Matters

  • •Often precedes angry outburst
  • •Can indicate holding back speech
  • •May signal disagreement being suppressed
  • •Common when receiving bad news

Common Misinterpretations

  • âš May be physical concentration
  • âš Can be habitual when thinking
  • âš Not always anger - often general stress

Quick Info

Primary Signal
Stress
Body Region
👄Mouth
Reliability
high
Duration

brief

Visibility

subtle

Related Cues

Jaw Clenching
Furrowed Brow

Opposite Signals

Genuine Smile (Duchenne)

Associated Emotions

Anger