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 81-year-old British actress styled the no-nonsense bob with side bangs and the ends tucked under, framing an uncharacteristic barely-there makeup look. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 22 Oct. 2026 On the microphone, his promos conveyed a no-nonsense intensity that equally gripped viewers. — Rudy Chinchilla, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026 According to AZFamily, a couple of electronic billboards have popped up in the Phoenix area with a very straightforward, no-nonsense message to owner and team president Michael Bidwill. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 So does Willow Kean as Ruth, Calvin’s no-nonsense older sister and Snook’s Arm’s harbormaster. — Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 9 Oct. 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
  • Last January, he was inducted into the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences in Paris during a solemn ceremony at the Institut de France.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The spirituality throughout is imbued with a solemn reverence more Catholic than Baptist.
    — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of solemn
Adjective
  • Just before this case was to finally go to trial, Snapchat agreed to settle the Maynards’ lawsuit, as the couple alleged the social media platform is liable for the serious injury crash.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Whereas Dino saw it as a very serious major film, in the style of King Kong, something rather serious.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of serious
Adjective
  • But the rugged terrain would prove a stern test for some competitors.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The fear had to be that Stewart’s Star Trek captain, by comparison, would feel like your stern and authoritarian father had finally come home to shut down the party and tell everyone they were grounded.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of stern
Adjective
  • McKenzie, a former banker in commercial real estate financing, founded the business in 2009, with a focus on lending money to professional athletes against the value of their contracts.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Golden State’s defense made things very hard for Atlanta again, and Gabby Williams took over in the second half, leaving our fair city’s professional championship count at three (two Braves, one United).
    — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of professional
Adjective
  • The earnest effort of the youngest Bulls players paid off in spurts.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Boyer is consciously writing in a tradition of Copland, Williams and Leonard Bernstein — of cinema-size emotion, of proud melodicism and earnest love of country.
    — Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 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 7 Nov. 2026.

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