disapproving look
Wordless parental scolding
A disapproving look is a facial expression communicating criticism or displeasure without words—typically a frown, raised eyebrow, or tight-lipped stare.
Parents give disapproving looks to misbehaving children; colleagues exchange them across conference tables: She shot him a disapproving look when he interrupted.
The phrase captures that universal moment of silent judgment.
- glareFierce stare or brightness
- death stareIntensely hostile glare
- scowlAngry facial expression
- frownDisapproving facial expression
- stareProlonged fixed gaze
hard stare · sneer · grimace · side-eye · stink eye · evil eye · raised eyebrow · hairy eyeball · glower · judgmental · stern · withering · cold · icy · piercing · contempt · disdain · reproach
- angry expressionsfurrowed brow, clenched jaw, narrowed eyes, scowl, glare
- disapprovalscowl, disapproves, frown, condemn, condemns
- facial expressionssmiling, smile, grin, grinning, frown
- showing disapprovalbooing, hissing, jeering, frowning, scowling
disapproving looksmile
Pleased facial expression
nod of approval · warm smile · beaming smile · grin · thumbs up
disapprove, disapproval, disapproving, disapprovingly, approve, approval, approving, approvingly, approved