STRAIGHT-FACED Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

straight-faced

adjective

as in deadpan

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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 The clip began with a makeup-free Giudice sitting in the glam chair and gazing straight-faced into the camera while Reyna sized up the shot. — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for straight-faced

Adjective

Thanks to his clean, deadpan brand of comedy that resonates across generations, Bargatze is currently the highest-earning comedian in the world.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 5 Nov. 2026
Lee Chang-dong has delivered a deadpan satire, an astute series of character studies, a sturdy social drama, and even a pitiless self-critique.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of deadpan

Adjective

The 47-year-old, wearing a blue suit and blue tie, was expressionless as the charges against him were described.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 May 2026
The routine calls for this chic, almost expressionless vibe — very different from a typical K-pop performance.

— Billboard Korea, Billboard, 26 Nov. 2025

Definition of expressionless

Adjective

But the end result has avoided the bland fate suffered by the recent Range Rover GT concept, for example.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 10 Nov. 2026
Instead of sharing talking points or bland DNC messaging, the national party’s communications team decided to simply share clips and let the creators decide whether or how to use them.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of bland

Adjective

Pale olive-green lattice doors led to the bathroom, which had a stand-alone bathtub with a wooden reading caddy, a Toto toilet, and Dusit’s own bath amenities by Devarana.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
Beneath Rocks and Bricks Slugs, snails, and various insects will sometimes also use rocks, bricks, garden bed edging, wooden boards, and other hard surfaces for shelter until spring.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of wooden

Adjective

Popular Nordic comedians Helgi and Erlend riff on these regional stereotypes, depicting their Finnish character as stoic, quiet and mentally tough.

— Lola Akinmade, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
The mild-mannered, stoic running back and team leader elaborated.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of stoic

Adjective

It’s reflected in the visuals of the series, which are as unimaginative as the AI actor renders are dead and inexpressive even before they’re shot through with Tokugawa-era arrows.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026
That virtue is undermined here by leads with minimal chemistry, one of them inexpressive and the other archly theatrical, by design if not to rewarding effect.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2026

Definition of inexpressive

Adjective

Stock acetaminophen or ibuprofen for aches and fever, a decongestant for stuffiness, guaifenesin to loosen chest mucus and dextromethorphan to calm a dry cough.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2026
Houston metro area showers should ease after sunrise Wednesday, but lingering clouds and a few passing showers could affect Veterans Day events before drier air arrives late at night.

— Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of dry

Adjective

The trombonist Cutler is played by Terence Archie as stolid, unassuming and quietly in control.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 13 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, Leigh—intellectual, magnetic, and capricious—went to finishing school before marrying a stolid, stable lawyer named Herbert Leigh Holman in 1932.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026