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Glite Dictionary
scowling

scowling

1 5.4
A person who looks angry and unfriendly because they frown
  • adjective
  • /ˈskaʊlɪŋ/
translation icon : fruncido
  • "Scowling, Pandora folded her arms.

Examples

  • Scowling at anyone who dared to make eye contact, he walked into the room.

  • Scowling, scowling with her hands behind her back as the little girls in front of her put their hands on their heart.

  • And she was sitting there just scowling and yawning.

  • Scowling and dismissive, the boy turned away.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • "Scowling, Pandora jumped down from the ladder.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • "Scowling, with a wary but furtively intrigued squint, he slid back down into his seat.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • Scowling, the teacher frowned at the students who were talking during the lesson.

  • Scowling with disapproval, she shook her head at his careless behavior.

Synonyms

sour
vsscowling
46 3.7

Showing an unfriendly, resentful mood

is more about the specific unfriendly facial expression of displeasure
grouchy
vsscowling
19 3.9

Easily annoyed and often in a bad mood

is a visible unfriendly facial expression rather than a mood state
frowny
vsscowling
  • Informal
4 7.0

Having a mouth turned down and looking unhappy

is a more sharply sullen and hostile expression, not just unhappy
unsmiling
vsscowling
3 4.0

Having a serious face that looks unfriendly

expresses active displeasure or anger rather than mere seriousness
frowning
vsscowling
1.0

Showing dislike or anger with a wrinkled forehead

is specifically a sullen, unfriendly look shown by that facial expression
fumy
vsscowling
  • Archaic
9.3

Showing quiet anger and annoyance by being silent

is similar but focuses more on the unfriendly facial display of displeasure
glowering
vsscowling
7.4

A dark, angry look that seems threatening

is less menacing and more simply sullen or displeased in face
po-faced
vsscowling
  • UK
9.4

Showing a serious, unhappy expression with no sign of fun

is more about visible anger or sullen displeasure than dry seriousness

Antonyms

smiling
2 1.0

Having a smile that shows happiness or friendliness

How Angry

furious
238 3.0
angry
∞ 1.0
scowling
1 5.4
sullen
26 4.7
unfriendly
22 1.9

Surface Forms

scowling positive

Morphology

scowling = scowl (transparent) = scowl + ing

A regular participial/adjectival formation from the verb 'scowl' using the productive suffix '-ing', so learners who know 'scowl' can derive the meaning.

Etymology

Scowling comes from the old English verb scowl, which meant 'to frown' and is like the common word frown, so imagine the brow pulled down into a hard, unhappy look. That's why a scowling person shows 'not happy' or 'angry' feelings on their face.