inexpressive
adjective
in·ex·pres·sive
ˌi-nik-ˈspre-siv 
1
: lacking expression or meaning
an inexpressive face
2
archaic
: inexpressible
inexpressively
adverb
inexpressiveness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of inexpressive in a Sentence
kept a resolutely inexpressive face throughout the poker game
Recent Examples on the Web
Villeneuve’s mix of bald males and women covered in burkas during this midpoint sequence of arena sadism is startling yet inexpressive.
—
Armond White, National Review, 1 Mar. 2024
The effect is similar to casting Liza Minnelli as Christopher Isherwood's immortal heroine Sally Bowles, originally described as a bad, inexpressive singer who was never going to make it.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 13 Oct. 2023
For Gabriela Colón, a Puerto Rican senior designer in San Francisco, Plaza’s portrayal as the perpetually inexpressive intern April Ludgate in NBC’s Parks and Recreation has always struck a chord.
—Mekita Rivas, refinery29.com, 6 Sep. 2023
The moments of wit and feeling that occasionally steal into the frame — in Cassie’s stubborn yet affectionate eye-rolls, Hank’s genial befuddlement and Janet’s poignant mix of guilt and resolve — feel like emotional outliers in a flat, inexpressive void.
—Justin Changfilm Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2023
Damon is outstanding as the inexpressive Bill.
—Chris Hewitt, Star Tribune, 29 July 2021
Peele mixes modern racial anxieties with sub-Tarantino pop-culture trash, yet his concoction is ultimately inexpressive.
—Armond White, National Review, 22 July 2022
Roy Andersson’s series of comic-tragic tableaux depict the modern Christian quest for salvation that is abandoned by Denis Villeneuve’s inexpressive sci-fi and David Lowery’s fractured mythology.
—Armond White, National Review, 7 Jan. 2022
The film and its sequels gave Stewart a legion of fans but, in other quarters, fixed an impression of her as the oddly inexpressive star of mawkish teen movies.
—Emily Witt, The New Yorker, 15 Nov. 2021
Armond White, National Review, 1 Mar. 2024
The effect is similar to casting Liza Minnelli as Christopher Isherwood's immortal heroine Sally Bowles, originally described as a bad, inexpressive singer who was never going to make it.
—Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 13 Oct. 2023
For Gabriela Colón, a Puerto Rican senior designer in San Francisco, Plaza’s portrayal as the perpetually inexpressive intern April Ludgate in NBC’s Parks and Recreation has always struck a chord.
—Mekita Rivas, refinery29.com, 6 Sep. 2023
The moments of wit and feeling that occasionally steal into the frame — in Cassie’s stubborn yet affectionate eye-rolls, Hank’s genial befuddlement and Janet’s poignant mix of guilt and resolve — feel like emotional outliers in a flat, inexpressive void.
—Justin Changfilm Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2023
Damon is outstanding as the inexpressive Bill.
—Chris Hewitt, Star Tribune, 29 July 2021
Peele mixes modern racial anxieties with sub-Tarantino pop-culture trash, yet his concoction is ultimately inexpressive.
—Armond White, National Review, 22 July 2022
Roy Andersson’s series of comic-tragic tableaux depict the modern Christian quest for salvation that is abandoned by Denis Villeneuve’s inexpressive sci-fi and David Lowery’s fractured mythology.
—Armond White, National Review, 7 Jan. 2022
The film and its sequels gave Stewart a legion of fans but, in other quarters, fixed an impression of her as the oddly inexpressive star of mawkish teen movies.
—Emily Witt, The New Yorker, 15 Nov. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inexpressive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near inexpressive
Cite this Entry
“Inexpressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inexpressive. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inexpressive
adjective
in·ex·pres·sive
ˌin-ik-ˈspres-iv
: lacking expression or meaning
an inexpressive face
inexpressively
adverb
inexpressiveness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share