frowned; frowning; frowns
1
: to contract the brow in displeasure or concentration
frowned in anger
2
: to give evidence of displeasure or disapproval by or as if by facial expression
critics frown on the idea
: to show displeasure with or disapproval of especially by facial expression
I will be neither frowned nor ridiculed into error—
Noah Webster
Noah Webster
frowner
noun
1
: an expression of displeasure
2
: a wrinkling of the brow in displeasure or concentration
Synonyms
Examples of frown in a Sentence
Verb
She was frowning when she entered the room, so I knew that she was annoyed about something.
the boss just stood there and frowned at his assistant who, once again, was in trouble
Noun
it was clear from the frown on the CEO's face that sales were headed in the wrong direction
Recent Examples on the WebTony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
For serious mariners, form followed function, and fripperies were frowned upon.
—Lucy Alexander, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2024
Whereas Alejandro is recessive and meek — Torres plays him with a downcast, socially awkward frown and a bouncy trot that adds to the air of dreamy winsomeness — Elizabeth is a human force majeure, all magenta hair and outsize shoulder pads.
—Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
The Giants can go a few different spots with this pick, but adding playmakers will never be frowned upon.
—Jack McKessy, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024
Officer Lauren Pagán looked at the line of dancers in the overheated cafeteria at a Queens high school on a recent Monday night and frowned.
—Maria Cramer, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2024
Office relationships are often frowned upon, especially if the relationship violates company policy.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2024
His face morphed from laughter to a cartoonish frown to dramatic sobbing.
—Jonah Valdez, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2024
Strong emotions like pride and anger are generally frowned upon in favor of self-effacing, low-arousal emotions that forge connections with others and promote social harmony.
—Iese Business School, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Martin Weil, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Body of knowledge It has been estimated that one brow wrinkle is the consequence of 2,000 frowns.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2024
The frown deepened with every CGI skybox and poster-esque shot of our rugged boys in flying leathers climbing ladders up to their Fortresses, with every perfectly curling bit of cigarette smoke and every pithy patriotic one-off.
—Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2024
With a frown, the man bobbed his head side to side noncommittally.
—Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 8 Feb. 2024
From the looks of the frown on Dua’s face, it was also had a wildly unimpressive taste.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Dec. 2023
They’re born of a lack of vanity deeper than a movie star’s willingness to flaunt a makeup-free frown.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2023
The mood in the room went from warm and joyful to uncomfortable frowns and embarrassment.
—Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2023
Kohinoor frowns in concentration while her sewing machine rattles off a hem.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 7 Oct. 2023
Verb
Cartledge points out that, according to the dogma of the Greek Orthodox Church, homosexuality is still frowned upon.
—Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
For serious mariners, form followed function, and fripperies were frowned upon.
—Lucy Alexander, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2024
Whereas Alejandro is recessive and meek — Torres plays him with a downcast, socially awkward frown and a bouncy trot that adds to the air of dreamy winsomeness — Elizabeth is a human force majeure, all magenta hair and outsize shoulder pads.
—Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
The Giants can go a few different spots with this pick, but adding playmakers will never be frowned upon.
—Jack McKessy, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024
Officer Lauren Pagán looked at the line of dancers in the overheated cafeteria at a Queens high school on a recent Monday night and frowned.
—Maria Cramer, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2024
Office relationships are often frowned upon, especially if the relationship violates company policy.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2024
His face morphed from laughter to a cartoonish frown to dramatic sobbing.
—Jonah Valdez, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2024
Strong emotions like pride and anger are generally frowned upon in favor of self-effacing, low-arousal emotions that forge connections with others and promote social harmony.
—Iese Business School, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Noun
Washington spent much of Tuesday under the frowns of gray cloud.
—Martin Weil, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Body of knowledge It has been estimated that one brow wrinkle is the consequence of 2,000 frowns.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2024
The frown deepened with every CGI skybox and poster-esque shot of our rugged boys in flying leathers climbing ladders up to their Fortresses, with every perfectly curling bit of cigarette smoke and every pithy patriotic one-off.
—Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 29 Jan. 2024
With a frown, the man bobbed his head side to side noncommittally.
—Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 8 Feb. 2024
From the looks of the frown on Dua’s face, it was also had a wildly unimpressive taste.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Dec. 2023
They’re born of a lack of vanity deeper than a movie star’s willingness to flaunt a makeup-free frown.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2023
The mood in the room went from warm and joyful to uncomfortable frowns and embarrassment.
—Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2023
Kohinoor frowns in concentration while her sewing machine rattles off a hem.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 7 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'frown.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near frown
Cite this Entry
“Frown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frown. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
frown
1 of 2 verb1
: to wrinkle the forehead (as in anger or thought)
2
: to show displeasure or disapproval by or as if by facial expression
frowns on rudeness
frowner
noun
frown
2 of 2 noun1
: an expression of displeasure
2
: a wrinkling of the brow in displeasure or thought
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