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

Leaving home without a hat, scarf, gloves, umbrella, and/or scowl. — Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026 May wears a smile more often than not, while Underwood is more associated with a perpetual scowl. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026

Verb

As a 7-year-old, I’d entertain my father’s friends, at their weekly pickup game at a Bronx barn-house gymnasium, by imitating his game face—bottom lip jutting, eyes scowling. — Sean Gregory, Time, 14 June 2026 Modern tiki tends to take a lighter touch, using more abstract graphics, less imagery of women and scowling gods. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 17 May 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

If the issues being talked about weren’t so serious, declaring that machines are now smarter than humans, given this glaring gap between AI agents and their principals, would be a fun keynote for the next AI summit.

— Bhaskar Chakravorti, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026
The glaring takeaway from this week's AP Poll is just how well represented the SEC is.

— Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 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

There are also three shields on the top deck, high up where everyone can stare accusatorily at whoever is brazen enough to grab one.

— Alice Burton, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
The easy, and perhaps reflexive, thing for a Falcons fan to do upon hearing that quarterback Cooper Rush will start Sunday would be to stare vacantly and await defeat.

— Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of stare

Noun

Orion gave a smirk and thumbs up to the camera while Keats made a funny face and stuck his tongue out.

— Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026
His trademark smirk and knowing stare are now feared by any opponent up against Norway, but don’t be fooled into thinking Haaland isn’t serious about his career.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 July 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 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of scowl

noun

verb

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