as in frowning
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Dissimilar Words
as in glaring
to look with anger or disapproval
scowled down at the misbehaving child
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Recent Examples of scowling
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
Ray’s brother, Jem (Sean Bean), has shown up to reconnect, and for a long time these two sit around not saying very much, pouring drinks and scowling at each other, at one point getting their ya-yas out with a midnight rock ‘n’ roll dance, then scowling some more.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
His real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio; his stage name, as fans later learned, was inspired by a childhood photograph that captured him, scowling, in a rabbit costume.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 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
Ray’s brother, Jem (Sean Bean), has shown up to reconnect, and for a long time these two sit around not saying very much, pouring drinks and scowling at each other, at one point getting their ya-yas out with a midnight rock ‘n’ roll dance, then scowling some more.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
His real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio; his stage name, as fans later learned, was inspired by a childhood photograph that captured him, scowling, in a rabbit costume.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scowling
Verb
-
During one Nuggets run late in the second quarter, Warriors coach Steve Kerr sat motionless for several possessions, glaring straight ahead while displaying a look of disgust.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
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One glaring weakness is in the hotel sector, with deal value down 30% in September compared with the same month in 2024.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Below-average play is often staring you right in the face while catastrophe lurks around the corner.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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The face in question, below, involves Sherman staring with her mouth agape.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scowling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scowling. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
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