straight-faced

Definition of straight-facednext

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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straight-faced
Adjective
  • The comedian, now in her third year taking on the role, has often created viral moments on the carpet through her quippy, deadpan interviews with celebrities.
    Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Her deadpan line deliveries in the Maniscalco sketch and the Irish dancer pretape were high points.
    Charu Sinha, Vulture, 15 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
  • From a thriving artisanal craft tradition to a slate of luxury hospitality openings, Mallorca has a lot to offer these days to debunk its onetime reputation as a bland resort outpost.
    Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2026
  • The show also features bravura performances from Mark McGrath and Pat O’Brien skewering their bland TV-presenter personas.
    Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • On streets tucked behind brick walls and wooden fences near The Shops at Willow Bend, the last traditional mall built in Texas, big boxy homes fill the mazelike streets in neighborhoods with names like Wyndham Hill and Glen Meadows.
    Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Ocean City and North Wildwood are also replacing portions of their wooden walkways.
    Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • And Jordan's performances as Smoke and Stack are indeed confident and distinctive, not just in their different sartorial choices but in their mannerisms, with the actor excelling at portraying both Smoke's stoic practicality and Stack's swaggering charm.
    Ken Simmons, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
  • So there sauntered Judge, one of the most stoic sluggers in a sport full of them.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 11 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
  • The ridge will flatten and weaken a bit early next week as a dry cold front approaches Texas.
    Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
  • However, the constant tension on my hair can have my curls feeling dry and in need of intense moisture.
    Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • In the Afrikaans world of my childhood, dancing often meant the stolid vastrap (tight-step), the terrible langarm (long-arm, a two-step that desperately wants to be a one-step), or, worst of all, volkspele (national or popular games), compulsory in Afrikaans-medium state-run schools.
    Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The Roosevelt, a stolid 19 masonry floors, can’t compete in this new game.
    Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 25 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Straight-faced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straight-faced. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.

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