shaking head
Wordless negative gesture
Shaking head describes the side-to-side movement of the head that typically signals no, disapproval, or disbelief.
Unlike a nod, which affirms, shaking the head negates or expresses doubt: She kept shaking her head at his excuses.
It can also convey exasperation or bemused resignation: I'm just shaking my head at this whole situation.
The abbreviation SMH (shaking my head) is common in texting and social media to express disappointment or disbelief.
- disapprovalUnfavorable opinion expressed
- noOpposite of yes
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- disagreementAbsence of shared opinion
- body languageUnspoken physical expression
disbelief · refusal · gesture · neck · side-to-side · disappointment · rejection · exasperation · skepticism · wagging · tsk · sigh · frown · eyeroll · incredulous · oh no · dismiss · rebuke
- body languagegestures, facial expressions, hand gestures, posture, nodding
- body responsesfight, flight, shivering, freeze, goosebumps