frowning
Definition
- Adjective:
- Showing displeasure or anger: Describes a facial expression characterized by drawing the eyebrows together and often turning the corners of the mouth downward, indicating unhappiness, disapproval, worry, or deep thought.
Usage
- The adjective "frowning" is used to describe a person's face or expression. It can be used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like "be" or "look").
- It describes a temporary state or expression, not a permanent characteristic.
Examples
- Attributive use (before a noun):
- The frowning teacher asked for silence. (The teacher had an expression of displeasure.)
- He looked at the broken vase with a frowning face.
- Predicative use (after a linking verb):
- She was frowning as she read the difficult instructions.
- Why are you frowning? Is something wrong?
Advanced Usage
- "frowning upon" (phrasal verb): To disapprove of something. Note: This is a different grammatical construction where "frowning" is part of the verb phrase "to frown upon."
- The company culture frowns upon being late to meetings. (The company culture disapproves of lateness.)
Variants and Related Words
- Frown (verb): To make a frowning expression.
- He frowned when he heard the news.
- Frown (noun): The expression itself.
- A deep frown was etched on his forehead.
- Frown line (noun): A wrinkle on the forehead caused by frequent frowning.
Synonyms
- Scowling: Expressing strong displeasure or anger with a dark, threatening frown.
- Gloomy: Looking sad and dejected, which may involve a frowning expression.
- Sullen: Bad-tempered and sulky, often shown by a frown.
Antonyms
- Smiling: Having a pleased, kind, or amused facial expression.
- Beaming: Smiling radiantly.
- Grinning: Smiling broadly.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- A frown of concentration: A frown caused by deep thought rather than displeasure.
- She read the complex formula with a frown of concentration.
- To furrow one's brow: To create wrinkles on the forehead by frowning or concentrating. This is a near-synonymous phrase for the action.
- He furrowed his brow, trying to solve the puzzle.
Adjective
-
showing displeasure or anger
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