as in glared
to look with anger or disapproval
the boss just stood there and frowned at his assistant who, once again, was in trouble
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frowned
The group is frowned upon by the Orthodox community, and was not mentioned in the biographical information put out in the mayor’s announcement.
—
Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
Referencing hobbies, especially more niche ones, might be frowned upon in more straitlaced sectors but may help your case in a more creative industry.
—Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
As lore has it, late-‘90s music business standards frowned upon booking two women on the same concert bill, believing that female artists didn’t sell.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Feb. 2026
Apparently, having an adult male with more than his guy thighs exposed, waving at children from a rooftop in a diaper and cape is frowned upon.
—Mark Glende, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
Taking a shot after the outcome has been decided is widely frowned upon by players.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Two requested anonymity, because it can be frowned-upon to speak about players under contract with other franchises.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Opponents complained that annexing the whole of Mexico would be financially ruinous, and frowned upon having the military indefinitely deployed to Mexico, where most of the citizens would not welcome them.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
In Kikuyu culture, talking about what’s happening at home is frowned upon, according to Wangondu.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 20 Jan. 2026
Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
Referencing hobbies, especially more niche ones, might be frowned upon in more straitlaced sectors but may help your case in a more creative industry.
—Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
As lore has it, late-‘90s music business standards frowned upon booking two women on the same concert bill, believing that female artists didn’t sell.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Feb. 2026
Apparently, having an adult male with more than his guy thighs exposed, waving at children from a rooftop in a diaper and cape is frowned upon.
—Mark Glende, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
Taking a shot after the outcome has been decided is widely frowned upon by players.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Two requested anonymity, because it can be frowned-upon to speak about players under contract with other franchises.
—Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Opponents complained that annexing the whole of Mexico would be financially ruinous, and frowned upon having the military indefinitely deployed to Mexico, where most of the citizens would not welcome them.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
In Kikuyu culture, talking about what’s happening at home is frowned upon, according to Wangondu.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frowned
Verb
-
Just inside the front door of a Circle K convenience store, the district manager glared at a small kiosk.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
17 Dec. 2025
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New Amy spent the first season being glared at by most of the staff, because Old Amy was 10 times worse than that colleague who keeps reheating fish in the microwave.—
Julie Hinds,
Freep.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Another line of attack likens the show to when bachelorette parties invade gay bars — a practice frequently scowled upon by gay patrons.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Dec. 2025
-
Behar scowled at Goldberg's comment, which opened the floodgates for the remaining panelists.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The two men, in their respective corners, stared each other down.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Both stared in my direction, looking surprised at the chance for free food out here.—
David Zeug,
Outdoor Life,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Frowned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frowned. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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