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
To elevate the roadhouse into a top-tier venue, Dalton confronts meddling patrons with a cutthroat, no-nonsense policy.
—
Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Didi, meanwhile, has a no-nonsense kindness that feels genuine.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
As the sometimes mean, always no-nonsense bailiff Roz Russell, Marsha Warfield kept extremely busy on television throughout the '90s, appearing on everything from Empty Nest to Touched by an Angel to Veronica's Closet.
—Dan Heching, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Sheriff Grady Judd, a no-nonsense Florida sheriff known for his tough talking and showmanship, announced the takedown of a drug-trafficking gang by donning the ringleader’s gold chain and bracelet during a press conference.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for no-nonsense
Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Didi, meanwhile, has a no-nonsense kindness that feels genuine.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
As the sometimes mean, always no-nonsense bailiff Roz Russell, Marsha Warfield kept extremely busy on television throughout the '90s, appearing on everything from Empty Nest to Touched by an Angel to Veronica's Closet.
—Dan Heching, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Sheriff Grady Judd, a no-nonsense Florida sheriff known for his tough talking and showmanship, announced the takedown of a drug-trafficking gang by donning the ringleader’s gold chain and bracelet during a press conference.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for no-nonsense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for no-nonsense
Adjective
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On Monday, her husband, the Duke of Kent, and daughter Lady Helen Taylor appeared solemn as her coffin was taken by hearse from Kensington Palace to Westminster Cathedral for a private vigil.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
No happening is too solemn, in this world, for a heaping portion of unabashed self-promotion.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
And at what point will the FO/Doc accept that—even with Conforto’s lucky strike last night—no serious team can use a Conforto-Pages-Teo outfield—in the field and at the plate—and hope to contend in the way this team should?—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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While the classic grounds for denaturalization include concealment of criminal histories or material lies in the naturalization process, there are growing indications that serious tax fraud may be viewed as evidence that naturalization was procured illegally or fraudulently.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In fact, Baltimore has received a stern warning on closing out big games from former All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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Shatter and Falconi had formed Flipper in the late 1970s Bay Area at the dawn of hardcore, the tougher and sterner punk variant that had a stronghold in California.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Fill out a questionnaire, upload a photo, and a professional colorist mixes your perfect blend based on your hair goals and history—right down to the developer strength.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Huang, also a professional military strategist and university professor, told the Washington Examiner that his party sees the DPP’s posturing as a cynical move to build domestic support without considering the long-term consequences.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The company’s events tend to skew earnest for fashion, and this one was no exception, beginning with an address by Yanai—translated live from Japanese, via headsets—featuring various charts and graphs.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
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His interest in deescalation seemed earnest and pleading.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“No-nonsense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/no-nonsense. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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