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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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

Among the terminated is a welder, Choi Ho-seok (Sul Kyung-gu), who wears a frown so implacable that it might have been etched in steel.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
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

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

Nakira’s mug shot showed a young Black woman with dark hair gathered at the nape of her neck, green eyes staring intently into the camera.

— Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
The Royals were out of the AL Central race by August and staring at another losing season.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of stare

Noun

The pair barely crack more than a perfunctory smirk, in stark contrast to the uproarious laughter emanating from Fielder’s laptop screen.

— Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
My mom’s siblings usually arrived in a sour mood without greeting anyone at the table, my aunt’s brow furrowed and my uncle wearing a sneaky smirk.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of smirk

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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 26 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of scowl

noun

verb

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