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frown 1 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

frown

2 of 2

verb

ˈfrau̇n How to pronounce frown (audio)
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
No smiles, no frowns, no fluctuations of body warmth. — Literary Hub, 8 June 2026 Don’t Kill Reach with External Links Like any business that makes money from advertising, LinkedIn frowns upon directing people away from LinkedIn to another site. — William Arruda, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Verb
Back in February, just before the NFL officially announced the 49ers would open this season here against the Los Angeles Rams, McCaffrey frowned on such a historically long trip. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026 Like a growing number of French seaside resorts, it's not only frowned upon; you can be fined. — Lanie Goodman, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for frown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frown
  1. scowl
  2. glare
  3. grimace
  4. stare
  5. smirk
Noun
  • For the role, Depp shaved off his signature mustache and goatee, and adopted Scrooge’s signature scowl.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Behind his graying beard, his expression crackled between a scowl and a mad grin.
    — Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of scowl
Verb
  • If the issues being talked about weren’t so serious, declaring that machines are now smarter than humans, given this glaring gap between AI agents and their principals, would be a fun keynote for the next AI summit.
    — Bhaskar Chakravorti, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The glaring takeaway from this week's AP Poll is just how well represented the SEC is.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of glare
Noun
  • During his cross-examination, the pain became obvious in McDonald’s grimace.
    — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
  • In the fifth inning, Soto fouled a ball off his right leg, eliciting a grimace from him and attention from both an athletic trainer and Green.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of grimace
Verb
  • Imagine staring up at the stars through a skylight, a mug of chamomile in hand and a fire crackling in the wood stove.
    — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2026
  • His life trajectory changed when one client, a woman in her 50s, tired of staring at the stark white demarcation line every three weeks, begged him to take her gray.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of stare
Noun
  • Orion gave a smirk and thumbs up to the camera while Keats made a funny face and stuck his tongue out.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026
  • His trademark smirk and knowing stare are now feared by any opponent up against Norway, but don’t be fooled into thinking Haaland isn’t serious about his career.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of smirk

Phrases Containing frown

Browse Nearby Words

frowardness
frown
frown (at or on)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frown. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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