Why Would a Character Pout?

People often pout while flirting or taking selfies. They believe that a pout is sexier than a smile. Your characters might pout when they’re upset or unhappy. A pout could accompany other emotions as well.

The most common replacement chosen by writers is pursed lips, which might not suit the narrative’s context. Unfortunately, this alternate phrase is overused as often as pout.

Please don’t think you’ll fool your readers with phrases such as put on a pout. No matter how you disguise it, you’ll still be branded a repeat pout offender.

Analyze Motivations

A pout could be caused by:

A to W
agitation, aggravation, confusion, contemplation, disapproval, disbelief, dislike, exasperation, flirtatiousness, impatience, irritability, nervousness, pessimism, resentment, sadness, skepticism, suspicion, wariness, worry

Try Harnessing Body Language or Physical Manifestations to Show These Emotions

Agitation
fidgeting
forced laughter
biting one’s nails
fiddling with hair or clothing

Aggravation
sneering
intimidating glare
pronounced frown or scowl
shoving someone’s shoulder

Confusion
stuttering
cocked head
crinkled nose
rubbing one’s chin

Contemplation
narrowed eyes
rocking on heels
puckered forehead
stroking one’s chin with one hand

Disapproval
squinting
curled lip
crossed arms
tucking tongue into one’s cheek

Disbelief
mumbling
scratching one’s neck
hesitation before speaking
spouting disparaging remarks

Dislike
glowering
jaw set and thrust forward
lips pressed into a thin line
poking someone’s chest with an index finger

Exasperation
flinging insults
hurried dialogue
baring one’s teeth
erratic movements

Flirtatiousness
tossing one’s hair
preening or grooming
batting one’s eyelashes
running one’s tongue over the lips

Impatience
standing akimbo
tapping one’s foot
arching one’s eyebrows
drumming one’s fingers

Irritability
raised voice
strained smile
flared nostrils
eyebrows drawn together

Nervousness
perspiring
dilated pupils
rapid breathing
flinching at sudden sounds

Pessimism
smirking
negative dialogue
derisive laughter
waving a dismissive hand

Resentment
rigid posture
stomping out of the room
muttering under one’s breath
rude or argumentative dialogue

Sadness
damp eyes
reticent dialogue
drooping posture
hands stuffed in one’s pockets

Skepticism
biting one’s lips
derogatory remarks
condescending smile
narrowing one’s eyes

Suspicion
eavesdropping
grinding one’s teeth
finger pointing
accusatory dialogue

Wariness
adjusting one’s clothing
tugging on one’s ear
excessive swallowing
chewing one’s fingernails

Worry
pacing
grinding one’s teeth
clenching one’s fists
adjusting one’s clothing

If you need additional beats, consult a body language dictionary. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Practical Examples

#1. A single strong verb can strengthen your narrative.

Nicoletta pouted. “But you said you’d be home early tonight.”

Nicoletta bristled. “But you said you’d be home early tonight.”

The second sentence is stronger, but we could make Nicoletta’s irritation more intense.

Nicoletta’s nostrils flared as she screeched in a tone that could curdle milk, “But you said you’d be home early tonight.”

Too much?

A strained smile twisted Nicoletta’s lips. “But you said you’d be home early tonight.”

Twisted suggests an insincere smile.

#2. Do you overplay body language?

Trent pouted and crossed his arms. He tucked his tongue into his cheek.

Trent disapproves of something, but the above excerpt contains three action beats. Dialogue could enliven the passage and decrease the number of beats.

Trent crossed his arms. “Do you intend to go out looking like that?”

A minor change, with fewer words, adds conflict.

#3. Does your character’s pout send mixed signals?

Blaine pouted and nodded simultaneously.

This sentence introduces a conflicted Blaine. We could show that in dialogue without the pout.

“I don’t know. It seems like a stretch, but I suppose I could go along with it,” Blaine said.

Another approach could produce the same effect.

“Sure, whatever you say,” Blaine mumbled.

The mumbled dialogue, even though Blaine agrees, shows that he’s unhappy about complying.

#4. Do you over-describe?

Cedric pouted, and his lower lip protruded like a big ol’ ugly largemouth bass chompin’ on a tadpole.

The second part of the sentence provides a vivid description of Cedric’s lips. Why use pout at all?

Cedric’s lower lip protruded like a big ol’ ugly largemouth bass chompin’ on a tadpole.

The revised version omits redundant details, thereby reducing word count and transporting readers to the rest of the narrative without delay.

#5. Exploit an occasional pout. It could add character to your work.

Sofie sashayed into the den, wearing nothing but siren-red lipstick and a sensual pout. Jens gasped.

We’ve set the stage. What happens next? I’d want to know.

Exercises and Story Prompts

Try to remove instances of pout, pouts, pouted, and pursed lips in the following examples. If you like an idea, grab it. As you edit, consider character motivations. Knowing why someone pouts will help you choose the best alternative.

#1. Manuela’s pout transformed her face into a morose mask. I’m sure she intended to mimic a supermodel, but her attempt failed. Dismally.

I ran my fingers over her pursed lips. “Who do you expect to attract with that pout? A lovesick camel?”

She slapped me. Me — the guy who had stood by her for at least a billion pouts and three boob jobs. The guy who paid for those boobs. “How dare you!” she said. Her pout disappeared, only to be replaced by a sly smile.

Uh oh. Not again. [What happened in the past to make the narrator think this?]

[Maybe some of the pouts are necessary to tell the story.  Could Manuela’s lips be plumped and pouty because of silicone injections?]

#2. Mikey pouted. “But I don’t wanna go.”

His mother pushed him toward the cell door. “It’s time.”

[Whoa. A child in a cell? Where are these two characters?]

#3. Eddie’s face screwed into a pout tighter than a hangman’s noose. He glared at the cop. “No way. The light was green when I went through. What kind of racket are you running here?”

Constable Frye’s eyes narrowed. “Hands on the wheel. That’s right. Now keep them paws where I can see ’em, and step outta the car, real slow.”

Eddie’s pursed lips relaxed. “Aw, c’mon. My girlfriend will kill me if I miss another _____.” [Wedding rehearsal? Lamaze class? Donuts Anonymous meeting? Have fun with this one.]

Instant Alternatives for Pout

Try these short replacements when you don’t have the room or desire to show.

A to L
agonize, bat one’s eyes, blanch, blench, bristle, brood, chafe, coquet, cringe, despair, don a petulant air, droop, flinch, flirt, fret, fume, fuss, gripe, grow petulant, grumble, kvetch, look petulant

M to Q
make a long face, make a moue, make eyes at, mope, needle, nudge, pine, pother, purse the lips, quail

R to W
recoil, show displeasure, smolder, snivel, squirm, stew, sulk, tease, thrust out one’s lower lip, wax petulant, wince, wink, worry

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