Scowl vs Scorn - What's the difference?

scowl | scorn |

In intransitive terms the difference between scowl and scorn

is that scowl is to look at or repel with a scowl or a frown while scorn is to scoff, express contempt.

In transitive terms the difference between scowl and scorn

is that scowl is to express by a scowl while scorn is to refuse to do something, as beneath oneself.

scowl

English

Noun

(en noun)

The wrinkling of the brows or face in frowning; the expression of displeasure, sullenness, or discontent in the countenance; an angry frown.

Hence, gloom; dark or threatening aspect.

Derived terms

* (l), (l)

Verb

(en verb)

To wrinkle the brows, as in frowning or displeasure; to put on a frowning look; to look sour, sullen, severe, or angry.

* Spenser

She scowled and frowned with froward countenance.

(by extension) To look gloomy, dark, or threatening; to lower.

* Thomson

The scowling heavens.

To look at or repel with a scowl or a frown.

to scowl a rival into submission

To express by a scowl.

to scowl defiance

Anagrams

scorn

English

Verb

(en verb)

To feel or display contempt or disdain for something or somebody; to despise.

* C. J. Smith

We scorn what is in itself contemptible or disgraceful.

To scoff, express contempt.

To reject, turn down

He scorned her romantic advances.

To refuse to do something, as beneath oneself.

She scorned to show weakness.

Synonyms

* See also

Noun

(uncountable) Contempt or disdain.

(countable) A display of disdain; a slight.

* Dryden

Every sullen frown and bitter scorn / But fanned the fuel that too fast did burn.

(countable) An object of disdain, contempt, or derision.

* Bible, Psalms xliv. 13

Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.

Usage notes

* Scorn'' is often used in the phrases ''pour scorn on'' and ''heap scorn on .

Quotations

* circa 1605': The cry is still 'They come': our castle's strength / Will laugh a siege to '''scorn — '' * 1967', Rain of tears, real, mist of imagined '''scorn — John Berryman, ''Berryman's Sonnets . New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux.