as in frown
a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval
a moue of distaste at the display of bad manners
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 moue
In her trademark cat-eye glasses, with her bitter-lemon moue, Hoffman, as Moth, is comedy just standing there; Harada, as Mustardseed, a warmth machine.
—
New York Times, 24 Oct. 2021
Not just any moue, either, but a supermoue—a whole cultural attitude distilled into a single boffff.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2020
New York Times, 24 Oct. 2021
Not just any moue, either, but a supermoue—a whole cultural attitude distilled into a single boffff.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moue
Noun
-
Not a quiver in his lips, yet his frown growing.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
3 Dec. 2025
-
My best friend Russell is an acupuncturist, and seemed like the perfect person to place my tape, slapping it on my frown lines, crow’s-feet, and nasolabial folds.—
Lena Dunham,
Vogue,
19 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
Despite having her arms almost permanently crossed and a scowl on her face, Ivy eventually starts to warm up, especially to her cheerful, horny-as-a-chihuahua cabin-mate Ella (Ruby Stokes, recently seen in Bridgerton and The Burning Girls).—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
My cat was startled by a loud noise from outside and ran across the apartment with the needle in her mouth.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
-
My mouth and nose were burning all day, and I was only exposed to minor residue.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
On the other hand, a true-to-skin liner and lipstick can give your pout a naturally pillowy effect.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The new Kiss & Blush Lip & Cheek Balm from The Crème Shop is a pigmented salve designed to give a pop of color to your cheeks and your pout.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Moue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moue. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
