as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner
delivered the reprimand with a harsh and unsmiling face
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsmiling
The card's main feature is Trump's face — staring downwards at the camera, unsmiling — and is flanked by the Statue of Liberty, a circle of stars and Trump's signature.
—
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Prima felt that there was something humiliating in Ruth’s loyalty to Thalia, and in her unsmiling scrutiny of Heiss.
—Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
Soon after the baby is declared dead, Nina is blamed by the woman’s husband and Nina’s unsmiling supervisor (Merab Ninidze) launches an investigation into what went wrong.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
On his first trip to the Holy See, Francis’ unsmiling welcome was seen as frigid and unfriendly; both encounters were markedly brief.
—Federico Perelmuter, The Dial, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsmiling
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Prima felt that there was something humiliating in Ruth’s loyalty to Thalia, and in her unsmiling scrutiny of Heiss.
—Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
Soon after the baby is declared dead, Nina is blamed by the woman’s husband and Nina’s unsmiling supervisor (Merab Ninidze) launches an investigation into what went wrong.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
On his first trip to the Holy See, Francis’ unsmiling welcome was seen as frigid and unfriendly; both encounters were markedly brief.
—Federico Perelmuter, The Dial, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsmiling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsmiling
Adjective
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Shortly after the 12-day war concluded, Khamenei emerged from his bunker to lead a solemn religious ceremony.—
Suzanne Maloney,
Foreign Affairs,
6 Aug. 2025
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China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to such actions, and has lodged solemn representations with the Japanese side.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Amid the Yankees' slump, Boone's leadership, managing style and willingness to be stern with players have all been questioned.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
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The witness said Berrios was stern about handling the situation with Torres by herself.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Some serious symptoms of a West Nile virus infection include fever, severe headaches, stiff neck, disorientation or confusion.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
17 Aug. 2025
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Away from football, this has more serious ramifications.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsmiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsmiling. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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