scowl

[ skoul ]

See synonyms for: scowl scowled scowling on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to draw down or contract the brows in a sullen, displeased, or angry manner.
to have a gloomy or threatening look.

verb (used with object)

to affect or express with a scowl.

noun

a scowling expression, look, or aspect.

Origin of scowl

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

Other words for scowl

1	frown, lower, glare
2	glower, gloom

See synonyms for scowl on Thesaurus.com

Other words from scowl

scowler, noun
scowlful, adjective
scowl·ing·ly, adverb
un·scowl·ing, adjective
un·scowl·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use scowl in a sentence

Gil turned and saw Muhammad Ali stride out of the stage entrance, smiling and scowling at the same time.
‘The Prince of Chocolate City’: When Gil Scott-Heron Became A Music Icon | Marcus Baram | November 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase seemed to be the only banker scowling in the Alps this week.
Political Tensions Takes Center Stage at World Economic Forum | Daniel Gross | January 27, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
I love the rainy windy days of fall when thousands of crows populate the near landscape, cawing and scowling.
How I Write: Erik Larson Revisits ‘Isaac’s Storm’ | Noah Charney | October 31, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
"He hovers over the proceedings like a scowling ghost," wrote Luke Harding, a correspondent for the Guardian.
Oligarch v. Oligarch: London's Courts Attract Litigious Tycoons | Mike Giglio | July 23, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
It was like the whole world was scowling at her, not just Grandma.
"Patriots" Goes Live Today | David Frum | April 30, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST

William Weedham brought scowling eyes to focus upon Kip Burland.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942 | Various
At sight of Marius, who stood arrested, scowling villainously upon the pair, the fire died suddenly from his glance.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini
Presently he drove away, leaving Mr. Bowman on the veranda of the hotel, scowling and uttering words of strength and meaning.
Scattergood Baines | Clarence Budington Kelland
He looked up into Blake's flushed and scowling face with the sweetest and most innocent of smiles.
Mistress Wilding | Rafael Sabatini
He pulled his heavy sweater down off a nail and put it on, scowling because the sleeves had to be pulled in place on his arms.
Cabin Fever | B. M. Bower

British Dictionary definitions for scowl

scowl

/ (skaʊl) /

verb

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

noun

a gloomy or threatening expression

Origin of scowl

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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