frown 1 of 2

Definition of frownnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

frown

2 of 2

verb

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 frown
Noun
Carpenter responded with a quizzical frown. Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026 Not a quiver in his lips, yet his frown growing. Noah White, Miami Herald, 3 Dec. 2025
Verb
On Saturday, Hill defended Carter after former Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes explained why publicly targeting a teammate is frowned upon inside an NFL locker room. Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2026 Skateboarding, a counter-culture sport once frowned upon in the mainstream, has gained popularity in recent years. Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for frown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frown
Noun
  • His scowl in training sessions was permanent.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 1 June 2026
  • So just sit and smile, a departure from a career built on scowl.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • The glaring mental errors in his game are the problem.
    Josh Yohe, New York Times, 11 June 2026
  • In some cases, though, the glaring sign that an unpaid debt has gone from being delinquent to a serious issue is when a borrower can no longer access money in their bank account.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • He was immortalized in a perpetual full-body muscle flex, and bore the grimace of a guy who really, really wants to pick a fight.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 1 June 2026
  • And Ahmed, with his fearful eyes and tense grimace, makes for a compellingly sad and isolated figure.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Regrets are common enough after lives are lost — when the cost of conflict is staring you right in the face, dead-eyed and countless — and yet this specific contrition persists long before the ships crash, the arrows fly, and the dragons roar.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 June 2026
  • Most passengers spend a week living inside the ship, not staring at it from shore.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • Roy interjected with the mischievous smirk typical of a younger brother trying to ruffle some feathers.
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
  • Her roundup began with a photo of a shadow holding a wine glass outdoors, followed by a selfie with a smirk.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026

Cite this Entry

“Frown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frown. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.

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