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
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 scowl
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
And on Saturday, another bout with foul trouble left him with a permanently piercing scowl.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Will Leitch, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Another line of attack likens the show to when bachelorette parties invade gay bars — a practice frequently scowled upon by gay patrons.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scowl
Noun
Laura Dern’s scowl is one of the great wonders of American movies.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
And on Saturday, another bout with foul trouble left him with a permanently piercing scowl.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
Part of me believes that, if Indiana wins, Cignetti should retire after this season and spend the rest of his life on a beach, scowling at resort attendants and being basically unimpeachable forever.
—Will Leitch, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Another line of attack likens the show to when bachelorette parties invade gay bars — a practice frequently scowled upon by gay patrons.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 22 Dec. 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
-
There are so many obvious comparisons to be made between Team USA’s win over Canada, and its victory against the Soviet Union with one glaring distinction.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Feb. 2026
-
But over the last year, much of the national conversation has drifted toward Pacific Palisades and away from Altadena — despite glaring shortcomings in both fires that deserve scrutiny and accountability.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the video, Claffey tries to move Ansell away from the subject and grimaces at the camera when his costar seems to say a little too much.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Feb. 2026
-
After Malinin botched his final free in the singles competition, Cowan kept his distance as the skater crumbled into a grimace of abject disappointment.—
Colleen Barry,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the photo the beleaguered president is pinned against the elevator’s back wall, shoulders hunched, arms crossed, eyes staring downward.—
Steven Levingston,
Vanity Fair,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Travellers sat slumped staring at phones or snoozed under their coats.—
Mary Gaitskill,
New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Jordan tells Little Gold Men with a smirk.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
19 Feb. 2026
-
And Nix, often with a smirk, will return the volley.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scowl. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
