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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
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 The sky darkened suddenly, as if it had been turned down by a dimmer switch, and Decoteau frowned at a weather app on his phone. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 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
  • Behind his graying beard, his expression crackled between a scowl and a mad grin.
    — Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of scowl
Verb
  • There was one glaring error that allowed the pass rush to get to Osborne and affect his throw, which landed in the arms of a linebacker in the middle of the field for his first interception of the year.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The duo's defiance paved the way for a resolution to condemn socialism, a key election-year messaging bill for the GOP that drew glaring defections among Democrats, many of whom were incensed at the turn of events.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 5 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
  • There are also three shields on the top deck, high up where everyone can stare accusatorily at whoever is brazen enough to grab one.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The easy, and perhaps reflexive, thing for a Falcons fan to do upon hearing that quarterback Cooper Rush will start Sunday would be to stare vacantly and await defeat.
    — Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 18 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)
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Cite this Entry

“Frown.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frown. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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