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frown on

frown on
F f

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [froun on, awn]
    • /fraʊn ɒn, ɔn/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [froun on, awn]
    • /fraʊn ɒn, ɔn/

Definitions of frown on words

  • verb without object frown on to contract the brow, as in displeasure or deep thought; scowl. 1
  • verb without object frown on to look displeased; have an angry look. 1
  • verb without object frown on to view with disapproval; look disapprovingly (usually followed by on or upon): to frown upon a scheme. 1
  • verb with object frown on to express by a frown: to frown one's displeasure. 1
  • verb with object frown on to force or shame with a disapproving frown: to frown someone into silence. 1
  • noun frown on a frowning look; scowl. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of frown on

First appearance:

before 1350
One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English frounen < Old French froignier, derivative of froigne surly expression, probably < Gaulish *frognā; compare Welsh ffroen, Old Breton fron nostril, Old Irish srón nose < Celtic *srognā or *sroknā

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Frown on

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

frown on popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 92% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

frown on usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for frown on

verb frown on

  • veto — the power or right vested in one branch of a government to cancel or postpone the decisions, enactments, etc., of another branch, especially the right of a president, governor, or other chief executive to reject bills passed by the legislature.
  • denounce — If you denounce a person or an action, you criticize them severely and publicly because you feel strongly that they are wrong or evil.
  • decry — If someone decries an idea or action, they criticize it strongly.
  • oppose — to act against or provide resistance to; combat.
  • reject — to refuse to have, take, recognize, etc.: to reject the offer of a better job.

Antonyms for frown on

verb frown on

  • ratify — to confirm by expressing consent, approval, or formal sanction: to ratify a constitutional amendment.
  • sanction — authoritative permission or approval, as for an action.
  • compliment — A compliment is a polite remark that you say to someone to show that you like their appearance, appreciate their qualities, or approve of what they have done.
  • praise — the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation.
  • laud — to praise; extol.

See also

Matching words

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