as in deadpan
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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
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The mix of deadpan New Zealand humor and horror is a winning combo in this mockumentary about a vampire clan that later spawned an equally electric FX show of the same name.—
Debby Wolfinsohn,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Anderson’s dry, deadpan humor is a perfect match for Roald Dahl’s dark whimsy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Apr. 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
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Pfeiffer is sensational, her Shyanne is a tough survivor and former Hooters server who’s preparing to wed a kind and rather bland preacher (Greg Kinnear).—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
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The movie does have a few additional in-concert scenes, but the songs, written and produced by Jack Antonoff and Charli xcx, just sound like a bland version of what they’re supposed to be.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In 1928, Beidelman replaced Long’s original wooden store with a three-story brick building that was made a city landmark in 2024.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Kuhner led me up a wooden staircase, into a dark space littered with debris.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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To this, the stoic Bednar raised an uncharacteristic (and bruised) eyebrow.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
20 Apr. 2026
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Is there an art to talking to famous people who are famously stoic about their personal life and famously put up boundaries everywhere?—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
20 Apr. 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
-
The Springs Fire came dangerously close to destroying Moreno Valley's only 18-hole public golf course in early April, fueled by strong winds and dry weather.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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All hotel guests have complimentary access to the hydro circuit (though a reservation is required) which includes a steam room, dry sauna, and cold plunge.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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 22 Apr. 2026.
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