as in deadpan
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 straight-faced
Mamdani emerged from this shroud of mystery triumphant, posting a photograph on X of himself, firmly straight-faced, standing alongside the grinning President.
—
Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
The bill is presented, straight-faced, as securing election integrity.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
To which Liu responded, straight-faced and finally dead serious.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
But the rest of the movie is straight-faced, as though its story of two reckless sociopaths vying to destroy the world in their respective modes weren’t appallingly depressing.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2025
Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
The bill is presented, straight-faced, as securing election integrity.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
To which Liu responded, straight-faced and finally dead serious.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
But the rest of the movie is straight-faced, as though its story of two reckless sociopaths vying to destroy the world in their respective modes weren’t appallingly depressing.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straight-faced
Adjective
-
Plaza — who is known for her deadpan delivery not only on screen but also while giving interviews on red carpets and the late-night circuit — has become known for dropping lines tailor-made for internet culture.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The parade of styles, of homage and revolt, from the chromatic frenzy of Pollock and de Kooning to the deadpan rigor of Ruscha and Johns, led to the question of Lerner’s formation.—
Giles Harvey,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The routine calls for this chic, almost expressionless vibe — very different from a typical K-pop performance.—
Billboard Korea,
Billboard,
26 Nov. 2025
-
Bale ran to the corner of the pitch, and, having been an expressionless bystander for much of the evening, shouted in ecstasy.—
Hua Hsu,
The New Yorker,
21 Nov. 2022
Adjective
-
The peas lift the dish out of bland mode and into something colorful and fresh.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Going super matchy-matchy with furniture makes a room look bland and even boring.—
Nomita Vaish-Taylor,
The Spruce,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Tawny port's claim to fame is how long it is aged, often in wooden barrels, before it's made available to enjoy.—
Maddie Topliff,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Much of the wooden buildings were destroyed by fire in 1923, later replaced with brick structures.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And even as his father stood stoic on the sideline, the arena felt the emotional weight of the moment.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
-
And center Jake Slaughter was, well, as stoic as the All-American has ever been.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Moments of physical intimacy between his protagonists are often relayed in rigid and frustratingly inexpressive language, which occasionally veers into the tiringly smutty.—
Taran Dugal,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Curiously, given that Casey began as a choreographer, the lackluster dance is energetic but inexpressive.—
David Benedict,
Variety,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Drought conditions are spreading across the region, and much of the Philadelphia area is either abnormally dry or in a moderate drought.—
Tammie Souza,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Pat chicken dry and lightly season with salt.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
At the outset, Martin (William Giammona) is as stolid as a piece of furniture, standing stock still at center stage, the black rectangle through which the other actors enter and exit like a deep void behind him.—
Steven Winn,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
-
During Saturn and Pluto’s sextile, your cautious 8th house and your stolid 6th house combine delicate topics with practical know-how.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straight-faced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straight-faced. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
