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
In the end, pushing extremes is favorable, and seeking consensus is frowned upon. — J.c. Polanco, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026 Spending so much time with Raskova’s frown was a miscalculation, when Sasha and Anastasia falling for each other, and Valya worrying about how Tanya’s past would haunt them forever, were so much more compelling. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for frown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frown
  1. scowl
  2. glare
  3. grimace
  4. stare
  5. smirk
Noun
  • Every once in a while, the goddess Athena (Zendaya) will appear at Odysseus’ side to judge his actions, mostly by offering a scowl of disapproval, the sort of face a wife makes when her husband loads the dishwasher wrong.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 15 July 2026
  • His scowl in training sessions was permanent.
    — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 1 June 2026
Definition of scowl
Verb
  • Still no Mohamed Salah replacement, still no holding midfielder, and still no full-back reinforcements, despite the glaring weakness in both positions.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • This is, of course, projection; eagles are always glaring suspiciously.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of glare
Noun
  • Back at the team bus, the high fives and handshakes wore grimaces.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • He was knocked down by center Brayden Schenn on the final faceoff, then skated off the ice with a grimace.
    — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026
Definition of grimace
Verb
  • Others are stretched across agonizing stretches of silence while Barrett lets an audience stare into the darkness and imagine every horrible possibility before finally springing the trap.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Which is why her character flicks through YouTube plastic surgery videos and stares at older women on the bus, comparing her wrinkles and checking her neck for any signs of sagging.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 24 Aug. 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)
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Cite this Entry

“Frown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frown. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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