frowning 1 of 2

adjective

as in scowling

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frowning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of frown
as in glaring
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

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 frowning
Adjective
Balogun then looked over at a frowning Ream, who had just finished urging his teammates to be sure to stop and smell the flowers along this World Cup journey. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Verb
This focuses readers on the all-black uniforms of the veiled pupils, who—in a long frame at the center of the page—sit between the looming, frowning teacher on the right and Marji on the left, who stands up to explain that her uncle was executed by the Islamic regime. — Hillary Chute, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026 Woods, 50, is seen frowning in the photo, taken shortly after the legendary golfer was booked into jail on March 27 after his Land Rover rolled over in Jupiter Island, Florida. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026 Hubbard posted an image of herself with a disgusted look on her face from earlier in Season 10, while Dillard shared a photo of himself frowning, also from a scene in the show. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026 Subscribers and consumer advocates may be frowning on Netflix’s latest price hikes, but Wall Street is celebrating the move. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026 Many of the drawings show faces, and most of the faces are frowning. — Mckenzie Funk, ProPublica, 26 Feb. 2026 The men stood frowning at each other and then back at Adi until the one without the gun broke into croaks of laughter. — Jonathan Miles, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 Smiling can actually lift your mood, while frowning can lower it. — Valerie Monroe, Allure, 15 Jan. 2026 One mask depicts a frowning hobo with a 5 o'clock shadow that represents the aforementioned vagrant. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frowning
  1. scowling
  2. glaring
  3. sullen
  4. staring
  5. gray
Adjective
  • The video, which has garnered over 70,000 views as of Wednesday, opens with a scowling Donalds, sitting behind the governor’s desk one year into his hypothetical first term.
    — Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026
Definition of scowling
Verb
  • Despite the glaring risks of facilitating the creation of dangerous propaganda, Moore is doubling down.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The Miami Dolphins have already added a new defensive lineman and tight end — despite glaring deficiencies at right tackle.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of glaring
Adjective
  • The pilot is charming and funny, immediately drawing me into the dynamic of its two characters — Romy is a bit more gregarious and sarcastic, Bobby more sensitive and sullen.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 July 2026
  • Some Redditors have reported the same problem in sullen language.
    — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of sullen
Verb
  • On top of that, many schools have kids spending lots of time on screens, even though staring at them for long periods can be stressful and exhausting.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Residents will encounter him perched on the air conditioner just outside their apartment, staring in.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of staring
Adjective
  • Moreover, in a study of 29 users of Melanotan II published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, some users reported their skin turning a dull gray color.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • But in this blue collar, factory-like environment, there was no blurred line, no grey area, no philosophical question to fret over.
    — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of gray

Browse Nearby Words

frowned (on or upon)
frowning
frowning (at or on)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Frowning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frowning. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of frowning for Spanish Speakers

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