as in scowl
a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval
it was clear from the frown on the CEO's face that sales were headed in the wrong direction
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to scowl
to look with anger or disapproval
the boss just stood there and frowned at his assistant who, once again, was in trouble
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frown
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The story of Western civilization is for the most part a collection of tales told by, for, and about the ruling families whose smile was fortune and whose frown was death.
—Henry Freedland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
New Atlas, 13 Mar. 2026
But Vaught complicates the idea that male weeping was universally frowned upon back then.
—Jeanette Tran, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frown
Noun
How to Watch North Carolina at Syracuse Bill Belichick’s first season as North Carolina head coach is winding to a whimpering close, but an ACC win over Syracuse under the Friday Night Lights would sure turn some frowns upside down at Chapel Hill.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The story of Western civilization is for the most part a collection of tales told by, for, and about the ruling families whose smile was fortune and whose frown was death.
—Henry Freedland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
Design-wise, the iX3 is a departure from the large-grille era, which was widely frowned upon by enthusiasts.
—New Atlas, 13 Mar. 2026
But Vaught complicates the idea that male weeping was universally frowned upon back then.
—Jeanette Tran, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frown
Noun
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May wears a smile more often than not, while Underwood is more associated with a perpetual scowl.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
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Despite having her arms almost permanently crossed and a scowl on her face, Ivy eventually starts to warm up, especially to her cheerful, horny-as-a-chihuahua cabin-mate Ella (Ruby Stokes, recently seen in Bridgerton and The Burning Girls).—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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From coast to coast, local governments are grappling with the glaring public transportation question.—
Lilly Kersh,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Gas prices are higher in Arizona by more than a dollar from a year before, and the spike was glaring in metro Phoenix where the average price of regular gasoline was quickly inching to $5 per gallon.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In the video, Claffey tries to move Ansell away from the subject and grimaces at the camera when his costar seems to say a little too much.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Feb. 2026
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After Malinin botched his final free in the singles competition, Cowan kept his distance as the skater crumbled into a grimace of abject disappointment.—
Colleen Barry,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Researchers placed food near a person who either stared directly at nearby gulls or deliberately looked away.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
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Food was placed near a person who either stared directly at nearby gulls or deliberately looked away.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Gates, no relation to Antonio, offers a shrug and a smirk.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2026
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Yet Lili Reinhart plays her with a diamond-hard smirk and a gleam of perception that lights up the screen.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frown. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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