unsmiling

adjective

un·​smil·​ing ˌən-ˈsmī-liŋ How to pronounce unsmiling (audio)
: not smiling or tending to smile : marked by a somber or serious expression or attitude
a stern, unsmiling teacher
unsmilingly adverb
His views were unsmilingly stated, implacably held, and amenable to no reasonable argument. Simon Winchester

Examples of unsmiling in a Sentence

delivered the reprimand with a harsh and unsmiling face
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Prima felt that there was something humiliating in Ruth’s loyalty to Thalia, and in her unsmiling scrutiny of Heiss. Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 4 May 2025 Soon after the baby is declared dead, Nina is blamed by the woman’s husband and Nina’s unsmiling supervisor (Merab Ninidze) launches an investigation into what went wrong. Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025 On his first trip to the Holy See, Francis’ unsmiling welcome was seen as frigid and unfriendly; both encounters were markedly brief. Federico Perelmuter, The Dial, 13 Mar. 2025 But at that moment, looking up from the examination table at Tina, her dark hair framing her unsmiling face, Lilian neither hesitated nor flinched. Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsmiling

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsmiling was in 1826

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Cite this Entry

“Unsmiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsmiling. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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