no-nonsense
adjective
no-non·sense
ˈnō-ˌnän-ˌsen(t)s 
-ˈnän(t)-sən(t)s
: tolerating no nonsense : serious, businesslike
a no-nonsense manager
Synonyms
Examples of no-nonsense in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With his sleek, bald pate and athlete’s physique, Gossett was intimidating in a wide array of no-nonsense roles, most notably in Taylor Hackford’s Officer and a Gentleman (1982), where as Gunnery Sgt.
—
Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Mar. 2024
Judge Lewis Kaplan, the experienced no-nonsense judge who presided over Bankman-Fried's trial will hold a sentencing hearing at a Manhattan courtroom later in the day.
—Rafael Nam, NPR, 28 Mar. 2024
Matsui's no-nonsense friendly attitude defies his demure first impression.
—Yuri Kageyama, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024
Weber stepped inside from the backyard, his no-nonsense footsteps echoing on the tile.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024
At the center of it is Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant), a sharpshooting, no-nonsense Montana marshal who resigns to establish a Deadwood hardware store along with his partner, Sol Star (John Hawkes), a Jew who has grown accustomed to anti-Semitic barbs.
—Barry Garron, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2024
Sighing on his front porch during the interview Saturday, the no-nonsense juror reflected on the verdict.
—Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024
The objections of Cardinal Dennis Joseph Dougherty, the no-nonsense archbishop of Philadelphia, finally forced MGM to surrender.
—Dan Barry, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Shelton carries a no-nonsense demeanor and sports a thick gray goatee, a San Fernando Valley version of Josh Brolin.
—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024
Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Mar. 2024
Judge Lewis Kaplan, the experienced no-nonsense judge who presided over Bankman-Fried's trial will hold a sentencing hearing at a Manhattan courtroom later in the day.
—Rafael Nam, NPR, 28 Mar. 2024
Matsui's no-nonsense friendly attitude defies his demure first impression.
—Yuri Kageyama, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024
Weber stepped inside from the backyard, his no-nonsense footsteps echoing on the tile.
—Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024
At the center of it is Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant), a sharpshooting, no-nonsense Montana marshal who resigns to establish a Deadwood hardware store along with his partner, Sol Star (John Hawkes), a Jew who has grown accustomed to anti-Semitic barbs.
—Barry Garron, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2024
Sighing on his front porch during the interview Saturday, the no-nonsense juror reflected on the verdict.
—Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024
The objections of Cardinal Dennis Joseph Dougherty, the no-nonsense archbishop of Philadelphia, finally forced MGM to surrender.
—Dan Barry, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024
Shelton carries a no-nonsense demeanor and sports a thick gray goatee, a San Fernando Valley version of Josh Brolin.
—Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'no-nonsense.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1853, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near no-nonsense
Cite this Entry
“No-nonsense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/no-nonsense. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
no-nonsense
adjective
: putting up with or including no nonsense : serious
a no-nonsense manager
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