as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner
delivered the reprimand with a harsh and unsmiling face
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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
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Handheld digital images give way to more solemn documentary reveries, which give way to surveillance footage and TikTok-style social media interludes.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
17 May 2025
-
The scenes involving Alma and Erika, both of whom grow up in worlds dominated by a solemn patriarchy and plagued by hardship, feel like they were drawn from period horror movies.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
-
Some of the Thunderbird pilots flying high had to overcome serious obstacles on the ground.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
24 May 2025
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Mouse Deals The Razer Viper V2 Pro gaming mouse is a blessing for serious esports players, even more so with a $50 price cut.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsmiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsmiling. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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