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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of deadpan
Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett will bring her deadpan stylings to the Majestic Theatre on May 21 with Truman Sinclair in the opening slot.
—
Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 21 Jan. 2026
As the fourth feature collaboration between Lanthimos and Stone, this particular deadpan dark comedy may suffer in comparison to its predecessors.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
Known for his spare, unforgiving style and darkly comic fatalistic sensibility, along with his penchant for leather jackets, lots of smoking and a deadpan sense of humor, Tarr was a quintessential arthouse filmmaker.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Unlike most podcasts, the TBPN hosts insert deadpan ads for Ramp, upscale Airbnb competitor Wander, and luxury-watch marketplace Bezel seamlessly into their flow of conversation.
—Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deadpan
Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 21 Jan. 2026
As the fourth feature collaboration between Lanthimos and Stone, this particular deadpan dark comedy may suffer in comparison to its predecessors.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
Known for his spare, unforgiving style and darkly comic fatalistic sensibility, along with his penchant for leather jackets, lots of smoking and a deadpan sense of humor, Tarr was a quintessential arthouse filmmaker.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Unlike most podcasts, the TBPN hosts insert deadpan ads for Ramp, upscale Airbnb competitor Wander, and luxury-watch marketplace Bezel seamlessly into their flow of conversation.
—Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deadpan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadpan
Adjective
-
The inclusion of chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten rounded out the trio of legendary French talents that Senbahar recruited, likening each facet of the project to an artist’s blank canvas.—
Jenna Adrian-Diaz,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Do a search of Whitehall Park Drive in Charlotte, and the preserve shows up as a big blank spot.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 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
-
And with a new and enigmatic Duke at the helm, Tintagel is also facing an uncertain future.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Feb. 2026
-
As Bartleby, the soft-spoken, expressionless and enigmatic Michael Crane becomes a cipher, gradually disappearing from the world in plain sight.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Despite his impassive eyes, balding pate, and slit of a smile, Robert Duvall could be volcanic and melancholic, mysterious and straightforward, vengeful and merciful.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Crucially, Depardon and his impassive camera refuse to pass judgment, letting the subjects—among society’s most vulnerable and marginalized—speak for themselves.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Roosevelt, a stolid 19 masonry floors, can’t compete in this new game.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Even Universal’s stolid Lew Wasserman was suddenly looking for buyers and firing existing staff.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
18 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deadpan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadpan. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
