as in stoic
showing no emotion
He stood there stone-faced while the verdict was announced. a stone-faced judge
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Recent Examples of stone-faced
Recently, after a bad defeat, my happy-go-lucky son, Peter, ambled over to another player, who was stone-faced with frustration and shame.
—
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
Both were stone-faced when the jury’s verdicts were read, but afterward Rivera walked over to Nuhfer and gave her a hug at the defense table.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
As the others grinned and grimaced at their rivals’ responses, Becerra was as stone-faced as Buster Keaton.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Although the Marshallese players were mostly stone-faced, their eyes—briefly flitting over to the crowd and the many cameras that followed them onto the field—belied both their excitement and anxiety at the gravity of the moment.
—Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 21 Apr. 2026
Sitting stone-faced in the audience, Chalamet couldn’t help seeming more princely and entitled by comparison.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Most other Democrats sat stone-faced but some appeared upset or annoyed.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Holland remained stone-faced, listening.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Kansas basketball coach Bill Self, who often remains stone-faced on the bench during games, actually appeared to be outwardly enjoying himself during a 27-7 run that put an exclamation point on the Jayhawks’ 86-62 victory over Kansas State on Saturday night at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2026
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
Both were stone-faced when the jury’s verdicts were read, but afterward Rivera walked over to Nuhfer and gave her a hug at the defense table.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
As the others grinned and grimaced at their rivals’ responses, Becerra was as stone-faced as Buster Keaton.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Although the Marshallese players were mostly stone-faced, their eyes—briefly flitting over to the crowd and the many cameras that followed them onto the field—belied both their excitement and anxiety at the gravity of the moment.
—Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 21 Apr. 2026
Sitting stone-faced in the audience, Chalamet couldn’t help seeming more princely and entitled by comparison.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Most other Democrats sat stone-faced but some appeared upset or annoyed.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Holland remained stone-faced, listening.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Kansas basketball coach Bill Self, who often remains stone-faced on the bench during games, actually appeared to be outwardly enjoying himself during a 27-7 run that put an exclamation point on the Jayhawks’ 86-62 victory over Kansas State on Saturday night at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stone-faced
Adjective
-
The wild creatures are unfazed, standing like stoic guardians of the canyon.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
1 June 2026
-
For example, a person who is protective may at first appear stoic and professional, yet the behaviors are a cover for the lack of vulnerability.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
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Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
-
Drewry’s Container Capacity Insight assessment indicated that only three blank sailings have been announced on the Asia-to-Europe trade route this week, indicating higher capacity deployment to accommodate peak season cargo.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
The suit, filed Friday on behalf of lead plaintiff Summer Christine Duffield, alleges that the company does not adequately disclose its use of the technology and is not transparent about how the collected data will be used.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
20 May 2026
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They are obligated to buy the underlying stock at that put's strike price in exchange for the collected premium.—
Oliver Renick,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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Americans have known Fox News’s Kayleigh McEnany as the composed woman behind the podium, forcefully defending administration policy in the White House briefing room, sparring with reporters on live television, or navigating the relentless pressures of national politics.—
Kiara Moore,
The Washington Examiner,
17 May 2026
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McIlroy overcame some early inconsistency to put together a composed round, while Burns leaned on excellent ball-striking to match him at the top.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The atmosphere surrounding the state championships was notably calmer than a year ago, when demonstrations over Hernandez’s participation drew national attention.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
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The wind whips through my hair as the gleaming new fiberglass speedboat accelerates out of the calm bay and into open waters, striped in shades of turquoise, in defiance of the name.—
Lauren Keith,
Robb Report,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
The riskiest habit is preheating an empty nonstick pan on high heat.—
Ryan Brennan
June 2,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
-
The dog paces to and fro, hackles bristling, snapping at the empty air, its head turning one way, then the other, as if aware of invisible foes in the valley around them.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stone-faced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stone-faced. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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