as in grimace
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scowl
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
In body and scowl, Paquita radiated like the Disney villain Ursula — a character also inspired by a drag queen, famed actor and performer Divine — but in spirit and heart was far from the sea-dwelling witch who stole an innocent mermaid’s voice.
—Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Caroline Framke, Vulture, 22 May 2025
Editors’ Picks Fired Federal Worker Flirts on Finch Mr. Trump scowled when one of Mr. Ramaphosa’s aides, a Black woman, tried to explain that brutal crimes in general are a problem in South Africa.
—Zolan Kanno-Youngs, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for scowl
Noun
That whoop-ass machine is played with a fierce scowl by MMA fighter Michelle Waterson.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
In body and scowl, Paquita radiated like the Disney villain Ursula — a character also inspired by a drag queen, famed actor and performer Divine — but in spirit and heart was far from the sea-dwelling witch who stole an innocent mermaid’s voice.
—Alex Zaragoza, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
Smash-cut to: a scowling woman leaving a police station in a black minidress and the telltale thick eyeliner smudge of A Woman Who Doesn’t Have Her Life Together.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 22 May 2025
Editors’ Picks Fired Federal Worker Flirts on Finch Mr. Trump scowled when one of Mr. Ramaphosa’s aides, a Black woman, tried to explain that brutal crimes in general are a problem in South Africa.
—Zolan Kanno-Youngs, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for scowl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scowl
Noun
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Throughout baseball history, such collisions have been met mostly with grimaces and shrugs.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
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Monday’s developments were greeted with grimace around town.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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His presence would immediately raise the Commanders' floor on defense, and help some address some of the team's glaring weak points.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
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One glaring question is how serious youth offenders will be tried on such an expedited timeline.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Noun
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Beantown frowns at each breaking news sounder on talk radio or ESPN insider post on social media.—
Bill Speros,
Boston Herald,
2 July 2025
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Jamie frowns and starts to twist a little on his barstool, turning to face the ocean — and away from me.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
12 June 2025
Verb
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The proud dad shared an adorable new photo with their little one on Instagram Wednesday, July 3 On Wednesday, July 2, Irwin's husband, Chandler Powell, 28, shared an adorable Instagram photo of Grace Warrior Irwin Powell staring in amazement at a rainbow.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
4 July 2025
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On the left, 23-month-old Riot Rose sucks on a pacifier and stares apathetically at his mom before hiding behind the shade canopy of his carseat, seemingly having pulled it over himself to avoid his mom’s camera lens.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Scowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scowl. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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