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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 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
-
Don’t let anyone persuade you to lie on a form or sign a blank form.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2025
-
For me, a blank March Madness bracket has always felt like a world of possibility contained in one 8.5x11 inch piece of paper.—
Jamie Harrow,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Subjects were shown pictures of two expressionless male faces over and over.—
Elizabeth Preston,
Discover Magazine,
11 Sep. 2012
-
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
-
Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news Black holes are enigmatic yet simplistic astronomical forces at the center of science fiction and scientific discovery alike.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Discover Magazine,
21 Mar. 2025
-
And navigating it all with an enigmatic effervescence was Paige Davis.—
EW Staff Published,
EW.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The tone and point of view were lofty, sharp-eyed, seemingly impassive.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
-
But the dynamic is unmistakable: one person fully covered, powerful, impassive; the other stripped down, silent, available.—
Jessie Candlin,
Newsweek,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Blink Twice nods at a tangle of different contemporary ailments: lifestyle fetishism, wellness hedonism, our obscene fealty to stolid tech bros and their untrammeled wealth.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
6 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Deadpan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadpan. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share