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

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 At the bull riding, no one can have fun because Natalie is pouting because her fight attempt failed. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pouting

Adjective

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
The bend-over-at-your-own-risk-tight culottes with the pouty flare where no flare should ever be.

— Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 25 July 2026

Definition of pouty

Verb

As has the part where Reacher uses his left paw with two nails protruding from the palm as a makeshift Wolverine/Freddy Krueger stabbin’ hand.

— Chris Klimek, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
For the hunters, a massive grey orb with a ramp protruding from it is one clue.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 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

If a relative or housemate seems irritable, ask what’s going on instead of working around the mood.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
As the fascination with Ernetti grows into something unhealthy, Béatrice subtly grows more tired, more distracted, more irritable and desperate for answers, small changes Sellier conveys with a smart sense of restraint.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of irritable

Verb

Traditionally, there’s this rendering of hell as a dark cave with fire, and there’s the devil with a pitchfork poking everybody with it.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
With the help of Nollet, Anderson’s hair was blown and teased away from her forehead, with tinges of pink poking through.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of poking

Verb

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
Whether his teams were good or bad, his outspoken and occasionally scowling personality almost always commanded the room.

— Carl Steward, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of scowling

Adjective

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
Keep an eye out for chartreuses, browns, and bright sky blues, along with sulky mauves and beiges in a plaster finish.

— Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2026

Definition of sulky

Verb

At the end of his second-round match against Hubert Hurkacz, an eye-bulging celebration followed a relentless performance against a very tricky opponent.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Inside, the main route to the galleries is down a stairwell between rough black bulging walls.

— Michael Joseph Gross, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of bulging

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Style

“Pouting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pouting. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pouting

adjective

verb

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