as in blank
not expressing any emotion
he delivered the joke in such a deadpan voice that we thought at first that he was serious
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deadpan
The comedian, now in her third year taking on the role, has often created viral moments on the carpet through her quippy, deadpan interviews with celebrities.
—
Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Her deadpan line deliveries in the Maniscalco sketch and the Irish dancer pretape were high points.
—Charu Sinha, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2026
Scott plays to his strengths as a performer with an ironic demeanor well-versed in deadpan humor.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
The deadpan call turned the already funny scene into must-share content across social media.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deadpan
Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Her deadpan line deliveries in the Maniscalco sketch and the Irish dancer pretape were high points.
—Charu Sinha, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2026
Scott plays to his strengths as a performer with an ironic demeanor well-versed in deadpan humor.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
The deadpan call turned the already funny scene into must-share content across social media.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deadpan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadpan
Adjective
-
There’s a weird family portrait with a blank spot for Nicky’s future wife.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
-
If portions of the page appear blank and an ad blocker is enabled, please disable the ad blocker and refresh the page to ensure full access to the content.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The routine calls for this chic, almost expressionless vibe — very different from a typical K-pop performance.—
Billboard Korea,
Billboard,
26 Nov. 2025
-
Bale ran to the corner of the pitch, and, having been an expressionless bystander for much of the evening, shouted in ecstasy.—
Hua Hsu,
The New Yorker,
21 Nov. 2022
Adjective
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Much like the movie itself, the images captured by Jima on set are spare and enigmatic.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Spiritual Festivals in Ethiopia As one of the world’s earliest Christian nations, Ethiopia makes for quite the enigmatic travel destination.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Dressed in a blue sweatshirt and surrounded by court officers, Henderson remained impassive.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
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Now the piano has something to play against, slinking, leaping, whipping, and swiveling like an agitated shark in a tank of impassive harmonies.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In the Afrikaans world of my childhood, dancing often meant the stolid vastrap (tight-step), the terrible langarm (long-arm, a two-step that desperately wants to be a one-step), or, worst of all, volkspele (national or popular games), compulsory in Afrikaans-medium state-run schools.—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
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The Roosevelt, a stolid 19 masonry floors, can’t compete in this new game.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deadpan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadpan. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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