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
Turning a smile into a frown, or a frown into a smile. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 June 2026 No smiles, no frowns, no fluctuations of body warmth. — Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Verb
Looking on was Trooper Major, body camera footage shows, frowning in the sun as the deputies followed guidance from a portable defibrillator device. — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026 Coaches taught the sport, but they were supposed to let the kids run the show during the games, with overzealous parenting frowned on. — Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 11 Sep. 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
  • The possibilities suggested by the compelling title are only hinted at when Jason glares at a group of street urchins.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Seattle's offensive woes also were glaring on third down, with Seattle converting just three times in 14 tries against Denver.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 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
  • Nakira’s mug shot showed a young Black woman with dark hair gathered at the nape of her neck, green eyes staring intently into the camera.
    — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The Royals were out of the AL Central race by August and staring at another losing season.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of stare
Noun
  • The pair barely crack more than a perfunctory smirk, in stark contrast to the uproarious laughter emanating from Fielder’s laptop screen.
    — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
  • My mom’s siblings usually arrived in a sour mood without greeting anyone at the table, my aunt’s brow furrowed and my uncle wearing a sneaky smirk.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of smirk

Phrases Containing frown

Browse Nearby Words

frowardness
frown
frown (at or on)
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Cite this Entry

“Frown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frown. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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