no-nonsense

adjective

ˈnō-ˌnän-ˌsen(t)s How to pronounce no-nonsense (audio)
Definition of no-nonsensenext
as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner a no-nonsense gymnastics coach

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 no-nonsense This unvarnished, no-nonsense authenticity helps explain Aguirre’s relatability with players and his ability to convey his instructions. — Colin Millar, New York Times, 4 July 2026 Series 7 remains one of the best lineups of players in Taskmaster history, and Kerry Godliman beat all of them with a relentless, surprisingly endearing no-nonsense attitude. — Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 12 June 2026 The 26-year-old actress addressed the general confusion surrounding her character’s age on the Yellowstone spinoff and confirmed that her no-nonsense cowgirl is, in fact, older than her high school boyfriend Carter (Finn Little). — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 23 June 2026 Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who’s winning plaudits for his no-nonsense commentary on Fox Sports during this World Cup, played for clubs like Barcelona, AC Milan, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain. — Sean Gregory, Time, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for no-nonsense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for no-nonsense
  1. solemn
  2. serious
  3. stern
  4. professional
  5. earnest
Adjective
  • Ureña, a 22-year-old right-hander who has emerged as another potential ace, speaks of Soriano with a giddy amusement mixed with a solemn respect for how the starter has survived in the big leagues.
    — Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • Dozens of firefighters lined the street in a solemn salute to their fallen colleagues.
    — Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • Beijing has and been accused of serious human violations, including large-scale arbitrary detention of Uyghur and other Muslim minorities, in Xinjiang.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
  • Prosecutors said Anthony Edmond and Rafael Enriquez face the most serious charges, including conspiracy involving firearms trafficking, machineguns and drug trafficking.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • England, which has been patchy so far, poses the sternest test yet for the co-hosts.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 3 July 2026
  • With upcoming opponents Croatia providing a sterner test in possession, Portugal’s defensive display will be under greater scrutiny.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of stern
Adjective
  • The two-story space features professional recording studios, podcast and video suites, co-working lounges and meeting spaces, which are slated to open by early next year once permits are approved, Ihm says.
    — Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • But in the process, the department demoted theology, a field that some had targeted for enjoying professional status when nursing did not.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of professional
Adjective
  • What Kenzie describes — the discovery that belonging generates effort, that trust compounds, that earnest investment in an institution can be returned — is precisely what defensive foreclosure costs.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 July 2026
  • The earnest post follows a flurry of recent activity on Biden's social media.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
Definition of earnest

Browse Nearby Words

nonofficial
no-nonsense
nonoperating
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“No-nonsense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/no-nonsense. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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