as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner
delivered the reprimand with a harsh and unsmiling face
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 unsmiling
But at that moment, looking up from the examination table at Tina, her dark hair framing her unsmiling face, Lilian neither hesitated nor flinched.
—
Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
Michaels is an oxymoron: a comedy legend known by the public for his unsmiling face.
—Maureen Dowd, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
The men, terse, unsmiling, and unfailingly polite, keep them under siege for days.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025
After two years of being locked up and systematically abused by Arkham’s squad of guards led by Jackie Sullivan (Brendan Gleeson), Arthur has become an unsmiling, even more gaunt shell of his former self.
—Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 4 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for unsmiling
Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
Michaels is an oxymoron: a comedy legend known by the public for his unsmiling face.
—Maureen Dowd, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
The men, terse, unsmiling, and unfailingly polite, keep them under siege for days.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2025
After two years of being locked up and systematically abused by Arkham’s squad of guards led by Jackie Sullivan (Brendan Gleeson), Arthur has become an unsmiling, even more gaunt shell of his former self.
—Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 4 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for unsmiling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsmiling
Adjective
-
President Donald Trump delivered a history-laden Memorial Day speech after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, his remarks echoing against the solemn backdrop of Arlington National Cemetery, final resting place of more than 400,000 veterans and their family members.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
-
Easter can be a solemn event, but only the few days before.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 May 2025
Adjective
-
The flybridge has a reverse radar arch that prompts a double take, while the remainder of the exterior focuses on open space (case in point, the foredeck), along with the beautiful design of the cockpit and stern area.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
28 May 2025
-
The 5,000-ton-class destroyer was damaged Wednesday when a transport cradle on the ship’s stern detached early during a launch ceremony attended by Kim at the northeastern port of Chongjin.—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
Adjective
-
Created by a Benedictine monk with a serious eye for detail, this whimsical stop features 125 tiny, handcrafted replicas of famous historic landmarks, like St. Peter’s Basilica and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, all located on the grounds of Alabama’s only Benedictine monastery, St. Bernard Abbey.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
24 May 2025
-
Seven restaurants were closed because of serious health violations: Chuys Restaurant, 4441 River Oaks Blvd., had a score of 27 and was closed because of unsafe temperatures in the restaurant’s cold storage units.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsmiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsmiling. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share