as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner
a no-nonsense gymnastics coach
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of no-nonsense
Actor James Tolkan, who was Tom Cruise’s no-nonsense commander in Top Gun and Marty McFly’s even less-nonsense Vice Principal in the Back to the Future films, has died.
—
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
An experienced, no-nonsense, sensible, fiscally conservative GOP candidate would do the state good.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
The outspoken African American is a deeply religious grade-school dropout with no-nonsense views.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
New York City’s health system, said the tough, no-nonsense governor, was near collapse under the Covid onslaught.
—David Blumenthal, STAT, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for no-nonsense
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
An experienced, no-nonsense, sensible, fiscally conservative GOP candidate would do the state good.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
The outspoken African American is a deeply religious grade-school dropout with no-nonsense views.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
New York City’s health system, said the tough, no-nonsense governor, was near collapse under the Covid onslaught.
—David Blumenthal, STAT, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for no-nonsense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for no-nonsense
Adjective
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This visual story captures solemn moments of faith, tradition and community as worshippers publicly observed one of Christianity’s most sacred Holy Week rituals.—
Al Diaz,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
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The solemn liturgical service included the Lord’s Passion from the Gospel of John.—
Holly Andres,
Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The victim suffered serious injuries to her right ear, right cheek and face, including a laceration that was about 6 inches long, officials said.—
Katie Houlis,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The broad ban on advertising also raises serious constitutional concerns.—
Cláudia Nunes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Some of the movie is an acid satire of pre-wedding rituals — like the first dance that Charlie and Emma are dutifully rehearsing for, with a ridiculously stern taskmaster of a coach.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
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Born in Michigan, Tolkan served in the Navy before studying at the Actors Studio, eventually becoming Hollywood’s go-to stern authority figure for decades.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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All are backed by professional adult singers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
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Deputy gangs have no place in a professional law enforcement agency.—
Opinion Staff,
Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Such hearings are often performatively theatrical, but this seemed like earnest moral outrage.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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Cunk on Earth plays like a Daily Show segment spread out across five hours, in which viewers watch the earnest — and ofttimes exasperated — talking heads field inane questions from Morgan’s uproariously daft Cunk.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“No-nonsense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/no-nonsense. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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