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
Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
If only humans kept their expressions to cartoonishly clear frowns and smiles.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
John Pacenti, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Often vital when visiting Disneyland, smartphones are largely permitted, but even they are frowned upon on many attractions.
—Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frown
Noun
Those surrounding the bride stood up and began clapping, their frowns shifting to wide smiles.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
If only humans kept their expressions to cartoonishly clear frowns and smiles.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
Unlike today, the federal government during the Great Depression frowned upon mega companies and Congress passed the Air Mail Act of 1934.
—John Pacenti, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Often vital when visiting Disneyland, smartphones are largely permitted, but even they are frowned upon on many attractions.
—Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frown
Noun
-
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
-
Remaining needs There are no glaring needs for the Broncos.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
There is usually a glaring sign.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And Ahmed, with his fearful eyes and tense grimace, makes for a compellingly sad and isolated figure.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Charlie Lindgren’s grimace was evident behind his mask.—
Bailey Johnson,
Washington Post,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For a few seconds, everyone at Progressive Field — players, umpires, fans, cotton candy vendors — stared at the video board, awaiting the handy diagram that would determine whether the Cleveland Guardians’ lead was in jeopardy.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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The couple sat in a vestibule inside the Aurora immigration detention facility on a Saturday in March, staring at each other through the glass barrier separating the incarcerated from the free.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For her part, the first lady nearly managed a smirk.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In those heady decades of postmodern language-play and seductive irresolution, claims for literature as a force for truth and justice would likely be dismissed, with a smirk, as humanist pieties.—
Charlie Tyson,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frown. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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