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
His ever-glowering face on the sideline has sparked countless memes and has come to personify the sharp-eyed, no-nonsense manner in which these Hoosiers have rocketed through the sport in just two seasons.
—
Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
The Reddit user’s honest, no-nonsense response ended up sparking a bigger conflict than anyone expected.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025
After all, his no-nonsense character, Manousos Oviedo, risked life and limb to journey from Paraguay to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in order to meet the only person on Earth who wanted to save the world from the global hive mind that’s taken control.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 26 Dec. 2025
Nine women — nannies, nursing techs, a sportswriter — spent a couple hours getting coached up by a no-nonsense, dry-witted instructor named Zianya.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for no-nonsense
Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
The Reddit user’s honest, no-nonsense response ended up sparking a bigger conflict than anyone expected.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025
After all, his no-nonsense character, Manousos Oviedo, risked life and limb to journey from Paraguay to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in order to meet the only person on Earth who wanted to save the world from the global hive mind that’s taken control.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 26 Dec. 2025
Nine women — nannies, nursing techs, a sportswriter — spent a couple hours getting coached up by a no-nonsense, dry-witted instructor named Zianya.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for no-nonsense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for no-nonsense
Adjective
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More than five hours after the crash, there was a solemn procession off of Route 146 led by Massachusetts State Police, followed by the medical examiner and fellow police officers.—
Anna Meiler,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
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That this is a serious matter—not slight at all—does not oblige the author of a seriously funny book to be solemn.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The lawsuit names specific brands — including cereals, pizzas, sodas, and potato chips — linking them to serious health problems.—
Alan Greenblatt,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
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Kittle was carted off the field, indicating a serious injury, after he was tackled by safety Marcus Epps at the right sideline.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Several French and Italian citizens were among the dead, and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for stern punishment to be meted out to those responsible for the blaze.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
9 Jan. 2026
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Continue reading … FLIP-FLOP – Reporter claims Harris privately joked about question before stern response.—
,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The move reflects a shifting tennis sponsorship landscape, with classic brands long associated with the professional tour, like Fila, Sergio Tacchini, and Ellesse, being replaced by younger activewear brands like FP Movement, Lululemon, and Vuori.—
Jessica Schiffer,
Vogue,
14 Jan. 2026
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While their roomy, wide-leg silhouette calls Lopez’s style to mind, their sleek black shade and professional details remind us of Lawrence’s pair.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Their flock consists largely of interns and junior staffers, earnest but broke.—
Tara Palmeri,
Vanity Fair,
12 Jan. 2026
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The movie is like a version of Waiting for Guffman (1996) in which the Christopher Guest character was not a buffoon but an earnest striver with grit and (significant) talent.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“No-nonsense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/no-nonsense. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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