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
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Dec. 2025
People will probably frown on it.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
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
One mask depicts a frowning hobo with a 5 o'clock shadow that represents the aforementioned vagrant.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Dec. 2025
People will probably frown on it.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for frown
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frown
Noun
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Laura Dern’s scowl is one of the great wonders of American movies.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
12 Dec. 2025
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As Martha, Close wears all-black outfits and a rigid scowl.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
19 Nov. 2025
Verb
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When state media broadcasts funerals for fighters killed in Syria or Yemen while Iran’s hospitals lack basic supplies, the disconnect between rhetoric and reality becomes glaring.—
Kamran Talattof,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
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The Rams’ 27-24 loss to the Falcons did not result exclusively because of injuries, but the holes left by missing starters were apparent and in some cases glaring.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In the painting, the skeleton is detailed with firecrackers, flowers on its ribs and a smiling grimace — a detail inspired by a cardboard skeleton Kahlo actually kept in the canopy of her own bed.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
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Will, in response, contorts his entire face into a terrible grimace.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Watch Lottie interact with elk in wholesome moment Video footage recorded by Dewey shows Lottie staring towards the camera as an elk approaches and cautiously walks closer to her.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
10 Jan. 2026
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In doing so, the artist grants his subjects newfound interiority, as viewers are invited to convene and gather rather than simply stare.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In the video, Castela sings these words with a knowing smirk.—
Carolina Abbott Galvão,
The Dial,
6 Jan. 2026
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Cohen, meanwhile, couldn’t remove a satisfied smirk from his face.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frown. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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