POUTING Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

pouting 1 of 2

adjective

as in pouty

given to or displaying a resentful silence and often irritability stayed in a pouting mood until her boyfriend apologized, though he didn't have the vaguest idea what he was apologizing for

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pouting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of pout

as in protruding

to extend outward beyond a usual point her lips pouted as she glared at him silently

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in frowning

to silently go about in a bad mood pouted and didn't say a word to anyone all morning

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 pouting

Verb

During the first day of the charter, Sandy notices that Nathan is punishing Joe for pouting in the previous charter, which wins her over to Joe’s side. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026 Kardashian was snapped sitting in front of the pair, pouting while flashing a peace sign at the camera during a break from filming. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 Some people will probably be pouting in those debriefs. — Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026 My introduction to Peters came late last year, when Instagram’s algorithm served me a video of him wearing a baseball cap, primping and pouting for the camera. — Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026 He’s never been seen publicly pouting or seeming unhappy. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pouting

Adjective

Coined in 2019 by The New Yorker writer Jia Tolentino, the phrase refers to a look characterized by a small button nose, high cheekbones and pouty lips.

— Chloe Veltman, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
For those who take pride in their pouty lips (or their ability to talk their way out of just about anything), a swipe of lipstick and nothing else is a cool way to look put together without the hustle of actually putting yourself together.

— Loren Savini, Allure, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of pouty

Verb

Once fished to the brink of extinction globally, sand tiger sharks, that iconic aquarium shark with a jaw of protruding, jagged teeth that only a mother could love, have been increasing in the Boston Harbor over the last decade.

— Asia London Palomba, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026
The face is a glossy black plastic with the exterior lenses slightly protruding, keeping the front from looking like a single flat surface.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of protruding

Verb

Looking on was Trooper Major, body camera footage shows, frowning in the sun as the deputies followed guidance from a portable defibrillator device.

— Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of frowning

Adjective

Murray says her own experience has made her more understanding when female colleagues seem more tired or irritable than usual, particularly when the behavior is out of character.

— Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
Could be because for much of the running time, Abrams’ Jay Gardiner is up against what looks like a very large irritable sphincter.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of irritable

Verb

But with just a step to her other side or a shake of her head on stage, the near-auburn shade moves to the forefront, with dimensional pieces of golden blonde poking through.

— Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 30 Oct. 2026
The smallest of the dogs, a fluffy little white-and-gray thing, is poking out of a red box on the dog keeper’s lap.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of poking

Verb

Rather, a scowling Fernandez is portrayed as racially insensitive.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
That is one of the tantalizing questions bubbling up in A Talent for Murder, in which Helen Mirren embodies Highsmith in all her devious, scowling genius.

— Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of scowling

Adjective

Suzanne, the sulky, artistic type, scowls and pointedly ignores their noisy energy.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
Skillfully carrying the tale as Kimberly is Ann Morrison, marvelously placing the qualities of a bubbly when not sulky teen in the voice and body of an older woman.

— Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026

Definition of sulky

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“Pouting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pouting. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of pouting

adjective

verb

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