as in blank
not expressing any emotion
he delivered the joke in such a deadpan voice that we thought at first that he was serious
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Recent Examples of deadpan
Duane sets the precedent for what will turn out to be a lengthy comedy career for Walken, delivering wildly ridiculous dialogue with a deadpan expression and at point blank range.
—
Joe Tobal, EW.com, 9 Dec. 2022
Doesn’t the Television Academy see the deadpan delivery and cool millennial style Selena Gomez constantly brings to the table?
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2022
This deadpan dramedy from Finnish director and writer Aki Kaurismäki could be the ultimate anti-Christmas movie.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Dec. 2022
During episode four, young Wednesday, played with perfect deadpan glee by Jenna Ortega, dominates the dance floor at her boarding school Nevermore Academy’s annual Rave ‘N Ball.
—cleveland, 19 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for deadpan
Joe Tobal, EW.com, 9 Dec. 2022
Doesn’t the Television Academy see the deadpan delivery and cool millennial style Selena Gomez constantly brings to the table?
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2022
This deadpan dramedy from Finnish director and writer Aki Kaurismäki could be the ultimate anti-Christmas movie.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Dec. 2022
During episode four, young Wednesday, played with perfect deadpan glee by Jenna Ortega, dominates the dance floor at her boarding school Nevermore Academy’s annual Rave ‘N Ball.
—cleveland, 19 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for deadpan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadpan
Adjective
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Think of it as the blank canvas of carbonated drinks.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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Newport and her production crew have taken this blank canvas and created a spectacular world for the two characters.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Subjects were shown pictures of two expressionless male faces over and over.—
Elizabeth Preston,
Discover Magazine,
11 Sep. 2012
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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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Seek out the most compelling narratives that inspire enigmatic perfumes from cult favorites like 19-69 and D.S & Durga.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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Perseverance's adventures have revealed some insights about the enigmatic Martian geology.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The tone and point of view were lofty, sharp-eyed, seemingly impassive.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
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But the dynamic is unmistakable: one person fully covered, powerful, impassive; the other stripped down, silent, available.—
Jessie Candlin,
Newsweek,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Left wing-progressives, once skeptical of the status quo, have become stolid guardians of institutions, while right-wing conservatives – once champions of prudence – are tearing down fences.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
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Chris is young and eager to impress; Duncan, who’s being reluctantly put out to pasture after this last mission, is jokey and irreverent (not a stretch for Harrelson); and Dave is ultra-serious, conveying authority through his stolid demeanor.—
Frank Scheck,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Deadpan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadpan. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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