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 The diminutive restaurant is about as no-nonsense inside as out. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 19 June 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 Burnley striker is a no-nonsense type player, but his experience across Europe’s top leagues could prove vital. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 June 2026 Her storyline is filled with no-nonsense attorney quips, expired passport drama and an incompetent fiancé. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 10 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
  • In both the novel and its film adaptation, the scriptorium is portrayed as a solemn place where writing is a mechanical, joyless labor.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • But the challenge has remained over the decades for popes that the threat of schism, or a rupture within the church, might lurk behind a preference for a more solemn liturgy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • Top Gear's Jack Rix has actually had a gander at the Torcal, and described it as having a large grille with illuminating 3D diamonds for serious bling.
    — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 8 July 2026
  • Many countries, already facing political storms and serious fiscal problems, will struggle to meaningfully cut their welfare systems or change their spending models, said Andrew Kenningham, chief Europe economist at Capital Economics.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 8 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 only professional soccer game played in the western half of the United States on Wednesday night took place in Sacramento, when Republic FC hosted Rhode Island FC and won, 2-1.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
  • True remote productivity is secured by building a watertight work-from-home ecosystem, and Amazon's Deals of the Day always has your back by dropping top-tier professional hardware to rock-bottom prices.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 8 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 11 Jul. 2026.

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