frowned; frowning; frowns
1
: to contract the brow in displeasure or concentration
frowned in anger
2
: to give evidence of displeasure or disapproval by or as if by facial expression
critics frown on the idea
: to show displeasure with or disapproval of especially by facial expression
I will be neither frowned nor ridiculed into error—
Noah Webster
Noah Webster
frowner
noun
1
: an expression of displeasure
2
: a wrinkling of the brow in displeasure or concentration
Synonyms
Examples of frown in a Sentence
Verb
She was frowning when she entered the room, so I knew that she was annoyed about something.
the boss just stood there and frowned at his assistant who, once again, was in trouble
Noun
it was clear from the frown on the CEO's face that sales were headed in the wrong direction
Recent Examples on the Web
Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
In addition, there were also prohibitions: listening to rock and roll music was frowned upon, and for having long hair you could be imprisoned.
—Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2024
Matthew Bremner, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2025
Jean-Baptiste, her mouth set in a tight-lipped frown, her eyes ablaze with fear and loathing, soft-pedals nothing.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for frown 
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Verb
While Blanche was speaking, Trump was mostly frowning, and looking off camera.
—Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
In addition, there were also prohibitions: listening to rock and roll music was frowned upon, and for having long hair you could be imprisoned.
—Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
The old woman, though, stares at the screen, the shadow of a smile curled into her lips and a frown barely creasing her forehead.
—Matthew Bremner, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2025
Jean-Baptiste, her mouth set in a tight-lipped frown, her eyes ablaze with fear and loathing, soft-pedals nothing.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for frown
Dictionary Entries Near frown
Cite this Entry
“Frown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frown. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
frown
1 of 2 verb1
: to wrinkle the forehead (as in anger or thought)
2
: to show displeasure or disapproval by or as if by facial expression
frowns on rudeness
frowner
noun
frown
2 of 2 noun1
: an expression of displeasure
2
: a wrinkling of the brow in displeasure or thought
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