SCOWL Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

scowl 1 of 2

noun

Definition of scowl

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scowl

2 of 2

verb

ˈskau̇(-ə)l

as in to glare

to look with anger or disapproval scowled down at the misbehaving child

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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 scowl

Noun

This means a scowl is relatively likely to be an expression of anger. — Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026 Leaving home without a hat, scarf, gloves, umbrella, and/or scowl. — Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026

Verb

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 The note was written on Cohn’s personal stationery, imprinted with a scowling caricature of himself. — Kai Bird, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scowl

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scowl

Noun

The late-night host teasingly drew his face into a frown in order to copy Washington’s facial expression.

— Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Lee indulges that emotional ambiguity, the way the pedal steel can blur the distinction between a frown and a smile.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026

Definition of frown

Verb

The possibilities suggested by the compelling title are only hinted at when Jason glares at a group of street urchins.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Seattle's offensive woes also were glaring on third down, with Seattle converting just three times in 14 tries against Denver.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of glare

Noun

During his cross-examination, the pain became obvious in McDonald’s grimace.

— Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
In the fifth inning, Soto fouled a ball off his right leg, eliciting a grimace from him and attention from both an athletic trainer and Green.

— Will Sammon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of grimace

Verb

Walking into a room to do some task or other, they’ll get stuck obsessively staring at the door hinges.

— Meghan O’Gieblyn, The New York Review of Books, 17 Oct. 2026
One man, summing up the shock, anger and frustration for everyone, stared straight ahead and at one in particular, gathering up whatever air was left in his lungs and yelled one more f-bomb for good measure.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of stare

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scow

scowl

scowled

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“Scowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scowl. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of scowl

noun

verb

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