as in frown
a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval
the man across the street never seems to wear anything but a scowl
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scowl
Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
After a beat, Eilish is seen yanking herself away and storms off, surrounded by security with an angry scowl on her face.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025
In terms of my entry point to him, just understanding that this wasn’t a monster that was going to be scowling in the shadows and looking for any opportunity to hurt someone.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scowl
Noun
If Simmons’ Demon was Kiss’ scowl, then Frehley’s Spaceman was its cackle.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
After a beat, Eilish is seen yanking herself away and storms off, surrounded by security with an angry scowl on her face.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Now our favorite scowling friend is getting his own movie, too.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025
In terms of my entry point to him, just understanding that this wasn’t a monster that was going to be scowling in the shadows and looking for any opportunity to hurt someone.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scowl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scowl
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
Verb
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When state media broadcasts funerals for fighters killed in Syria or Yemen while Iran’s hospitals lack basic supplies, the disconnect between rhetoric and reality becomes glaring.—
Kamran Talattof,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
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The Rams’ 27-24 loss to the Falcons did not result exclusively because of injuries, but the holes left by missing starters were apparent and in some cases glaring.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In the painting, the skeleton is detailed with firecrackers, flowers on its ribs and a smiling grimace — a detail inspired by a cardboard skeleton Kahlo actually kept in the canopy of her own bed.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
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Will, in response, contorts his entire face into a terrible grimace.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Watch Lottie interact with elk in wholesome moment Video footage recorded by Dewey shows Lottie staring towards the camera as an elk approaches and cautiously walks closer to her.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
10 Jan. 2026
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In doing so, the artist grants his subjects newfound interiority, as viewers are invited to convene and gather rather than simply stare.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In the video, Castela sings these words with a knowing smirk.—
Carolina Abbott Galvão,
The Dial,
6 Jan. 2026
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Cohen, meanwhile, couldn’t remove a satisfied smirk from his face.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scowl. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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