as in deadpan
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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
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
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The Dodgers’ social media team nudged Smith out of that public shell a bit this spring, in a spot promoting his bobblehead night, in which Smith nailed a deadpan delivery and a range of facial gestures.— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
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The comedy is instead more deadpan, with Rhys playing the flustered straight man against a (sometimes literal) murderer’s row of ensemble members and guest stars.— Alison Herman, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The routine calls for this chic, almost expressionless vibe — very different from a typical K-pop performance.— Billboard Korea, Billboard, 26 Nov. 2025
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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
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Tile backsplashes elevate the space, offering visual and textural appeal that keeps it from feeling too bland or one-note.— Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
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Potato flautas, a vegetarian dish with fresh avocado, cotija cheese and a guajillo chile salsa were also well executed, but unfortunately bland, with those mashed potatoes in the filling needing more salt.— Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Cut and stitched in Arusha, 10 tents—including two family suites—form a horseshoe from the main area, each filled with wooden furnishings crafted by local carpenters.— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
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Nara Park is home to over 1,000 freely roaming sacred deer, and the Todai-ji Temple inside is the world’s largest wooden structure.— Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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However, when a stoic drifter named Herald Loomis (Joshua Boone) and his young daughter, Zonia (Savannah Commodore) arrive on their doorstep, the Holly’s world turns on its axis.— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026
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No manuscript of American history is complete without footnotes to its bookstores, and many of them have been much more than stoic spectators to the country’s evolution.— Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Curiously, given that Casey began as a choreographer, the lackluster dance is energetic but inexpressive.— David Benedict, Variety, 24 June 2025
Adjective
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Browns, which are usually but not always brown, include spent perennials, dry leaves, cut-up (undyed) leather, twigs, paper and straw.— Jessica Damiano, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
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Much of Culebra is now protected under the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, which preserves mangroves, dry forest, and charming coastal habitats used by seabirds and marine life.— Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Kinlaw remained stolid throughout most of the public comment period and did not address calls for his resignation.— Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026
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At the outset, Martin (William Giammona) is as stolid as a piece of furniture, standing stock still at center stage, the black rectangle through which the other actors enter and exit like a deep void behind him.— Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Straight-faced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/straight-faced. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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