Find Antonyms

smiling Antonyms

Opposite of smiling

Because the opposite of smiling shifts with each meaning, the 20 antonyms and opposite words below are separated across 3 exact definitions and ranked by contrast strength.
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• adjective (Context 1)

Having or showing a happy, friendly, or amused expression on the face.

Usage Example

"The receptionist greeted the visitors with a warm, frowning face."

Strongest
frowning
scowling
unsmiling
Strong
glum
sullen
sour
gloomy
dour
morose
solemn

• noun (Context 2)

The act or expression of forming a smile.

Usage Example

"Research suggests that frequent frowning can help reduce everyday stress."

Strongest
frowning
scowling
Strong
grimacing
pouting
weeping

• adjective (Context 3)

Bright, pleasant, or promising in appearance or aspect (typically of weather, landscapes, or fortune).

Usage Example

"They walked across the gloomy meadows under a clear spring sky."

Strongest
gloomy
bleak
Strong
dreary
dismal
frowning
forbidding
threatening
somber
unpromising

Similar words to smiling

Words similar to smiling shift depending on context. Common synonyms include:

beaming
grinning
sunny
bright
radiant
pleasant
cheerful
fair
See all synonyms of smiling

• Nearby Words

smileless
smiler
smiley
smiling
smilingly
smirk
smirker

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Antonyms for Smiling. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/antonyms/smiling
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