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
Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The story of Western civilization is for the most part a collection of tales told by, for, and about the ruling families whose smile was fortune and whose frown was death.
—Henry Freedland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Opponents complained that annexing the whole of Mexico would be financially ruinous, and frowned upon having the military indefinitely deployed to Mexico, where most of the citizens would not welcome them.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frown
Noun
How to Watch North Carolina at Syracuse Bill Belichick’s first season as North Carolina head coach is winding to a whimpering close, but an ACC win over Syracuse under the Friday Night Lights would sure turn some frowns upside down at Chapel Hill.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The story of Western civilization is for the most part a collection of tales told by, for, and about the ruling families whose smile was fortune and whose frown was death.
—Henry Freedland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
Two requested anonymity, because it can be frowned-upon to speak about players under contract with other franchises.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Opponents complained that annexing the whole of Mexico would be financially ruinous, and frowned upon having the military indefinitely deployed to Mexico, where most of the citizens would not welcome them.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frown
Noun
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His fierce disposition in competition — the scowl, the pumping of fists and the guttural yells after big plays — came in stark contrast to his off-court good nature and broad grins.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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She's got a scowl on her face as Marfisee and her students approach.—
Vanessa Romo,
NPR,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Many neuroscientists at the time likened astrocytes’ newfound properties to those of neurons, but in retrospect the differences seem glaring.—
Ingrid Wickelgren,
Quanta Magazine,
30 Jan. 2026
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Enoch confronts the celestial hosts, all wearing capes of swastika red under an oppressive horizon of jutting lightning and glaring orange mountains.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Texas basketball coach Sean Miller glanced over the stat sheet after Saturday’s 74-70 home loss to rival Texas A&M with a grimace before stating the obvious.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Jan. 2026
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So, the publicists, makeup team and fellow members of the press — all of us peering out of the floor-to-ceiling windows with a grimace — begin doing just that.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Social media users have stared deep into that footage, and some have seen their own reflection.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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What's captivating enough about Freescape's van that show goer after show goer can't help but to stop and stare, at least momentarily, is the unique pop-up roof system, a patented design that's being called the first of its kind.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And Nix, often with a smirk, will return the volley.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The bus drivers do nothing to enforce the rules, and we seniors are left trudging down the bus aisle while the people in the seats smirk, look at their phones and talk to each other.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frown. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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