as in pouty
given to or displaying a resentful silence and often irritability
stayed in a pouting mood until her boyfriend apologized, though he didn't have the vaguest idea what he was apologizing for
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in protruding
to extend outward beyond a usual point
her lips pouted as she glared at him silently
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in frowning
to silently go about in a bad mood
pouted and didn't say a word to anyone all morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pouting
Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
My introduction to Peters came late last year, when Instagram’s algorithm served me a video of him wearing a baseball cap, primping and pouting for the camera.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
He’s never been seen publicly pouting or seeming unhappy.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
At the bull riding, no one can have fun because Natalie is pouting because her fight attempt failed.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
This was followed by a shot of them all pouting as Landon and Alabama flashed peace signs and their dad took his turn to flip off the camera.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
Some people will probably be pouting in those debriefs.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
My introduction to Peters came late last year, when Instagram’s algorithm served me a video of him wearing a baseball cap, primping and pouting for the camera.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
He’s never been seen publicly pouting or seeming unhappy.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
At the bull riding, no one can have fun because Natalie is pouting because her fight attempt failed.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
This was followed by a shot of them all pouting as Landon and Alabama flashed peace signs and their dad took his turn to flip off the camera.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pouting
Adjective
-
Kelly made a pouty face at Correa, who started walking toward the Dodger dugout.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Chanelling Miss Sara Bellum from the Powerpuff Girls, her secretarial deep burgundy ringlets were cut into pouty bangs that almost totally concealed her eyes.—
Essence,
Essence,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Features such as surface roughness and protruding fibers create more sites where particles can stick to the outer surface rather than passing through.—
Sumit Mandal,
The Conversation,
9 June 2026
-
Elsewhere on the trophy, there are the original rules to soccer, from 1863, which include a proscription on players having nails, iron plates, or gutta-percha—a Malaysian rubberlike material, now used in root canals—protruding from their boots.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
This focuses readers on the all-black uniforms of the veiled pupils, who—in a long frame at the center of the page—sit between the looming, frowning teacher on the right and Marji on the left, who stands up to explain that her uncle was executed by the Islamic regime.—
Hillary Chute,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
-
Woods, 50, is seen frowning in the photo, taken shortly after the legendary golfer was booked into jail on March 27 after his Land Rover rolled over in Jupiter Island, Florida.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
They can be withdrawn or irritable.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
-
While Hockney worked, Auden, as the artist recalled, played the part of the impatient, irritable grump.—
Mark Rozzo,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Pulisic, the American star who is under intense pressure to perform in this tournament, set up the goal, pushing the ball between a pair of defenders before poking it on for McKennie in the center of the box.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
-
As the miles dragged on, a chase vehicle crept by periodically with cameras poking out the window to capture scenes that could later be shared on social media, where Emanuel now has an almost daily presence.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Modern tiki tends to take a lighter touch, using more abstract graphics, less imagery of women and scowling gods.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
But there’s more to Brind’Amour than the person fans see screaming and scowling behind the bench or stomping around the dressing room in a postwin video looking like some combination of Godzilla and Chris Farley’s famous Matt Foley character.—
Cory Lavalette,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Skillfully carrying the tale as Kimberly is Ann Morrison, marvelously placing the qualities of a bubbly when not sulky teen in the voice and body of an older woman.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Keep an eye out for chartreuses, browns, and bright sky blues, along with sulky mauves and beiges in a plaster finish.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Babe’s advancing age and bulging midsection were the easy targets.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
And, soon, the OCFA crew learns that one of three storage tanks at the plant — one that contains the chemical methyl methacrylate, or MMA — is bulging.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pouting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pouting. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
