scowl

[skoul]

verb (used without object)

1. to draw down or contract the brows in a sullen, displeased, or angry manner.

   Synonyms: glare, lower, frown

2. to have a gloomy or threatening look.

   Synonyms: gloom, glower

verb (used with object)

1. to affect or express with a scowl.

noun

1. a scowling expression, look, or aspect.

scowl

/ skaʊl /

verb

1. (intr) to contract the brows in a threatening or angry manner

noun

1. a gloomy or threatening expression

Other Word Forms

• scowler noun
• scowlful adjective
• scowlingly adverb
• unscowling adjective
• unscowlingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of scowl¹

1300–50; Middle English scoulen (v.); perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Danish skule to scowl, Norwegian skule to look furtively, though these may be < Low German schūlen to spy

Word History and Origins

Origin of scowl¹

C14: probably from Scandinavian; compare Danish skule to look down, Old English scūlēgede squint-eyed

Example Sentences

Whether it’s Morton’s perpetually scowling expression in the infrequent cutaways to Brian’s life back home or the on-the-nose emphasis on looming gray clouds, there’s no question a storm is coming.

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Her first order of business, however, is pitting the scowling Ritter and bland, industrious Wittmers, who had managed a bearable distance so far, against each other.

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We see Isaac scowl at another cop who is gleefully telling a story about knocking out the teeth of an unarmed protester he disparagingly refers to as a Voter.

Read more on Salon

There’s a noticeable pride Morot takes in touring me around his geek’s paradise: a two-level office crammed with shelves of scowling latex heads, furry creatures and a pair of giant gators overlooking it all.

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Hine’s tousled little boy, who looks forlornly into the camera with scowling dark eyes beneath a furrowed brow, likely had no such liberating choice.

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Related Words

• glare 
• glower 
• grimace