as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner
humorless people who can't see the lighter side of life
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of humorless
In Prime 4, Samus is humorless, simply nodding along while others try their best at second-rate comedy.
—
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2025
For a man known around the Pentagon as a relentless, humorless taskmaster, McNamara seemed virtually unrecognizable on the party circuit, mingling casually with journalists, fellow government officials, and vivacious Georgetown hostesses.
—William Taubman, Air Mail, 20 Sep. 2025
Single-minded and fairly humorless, Chappellet is impelled but seldom impulsive.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
Right now, the powers that be in America, humorless and self-aggrandizing, are hell-bent on running down whatever lies in their path.
—Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for humorless
Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2025
For a man known around the Pentagon as a relentless, humorless taskmaster, McNamara seemed virtually unrecognizable on the party circuit, mingling casually with journalists, fellow government officials, and vivacious Georgetown hostesses.
—William Taubman, Air Mail, 20 Sep. 2025
Single-minded and fairly humorless, Chappellet is impelled but seldom impulsive.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
Right now, the powers that be in America, humorless and self-aggrandizing, are hell-bent on running down whatever lies in their path.
—Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for humorless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humorless
Adjective
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Good Friday, observed on Friday, April 3, marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is one of the most solemn days of the Christian calendar.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The men had serious criminal convictions and said Cuba would not take them back as a result.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
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Despite repairs having been made, the billing and collection system still has serious problems.—
Noel Brennan,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Some of the movie is an acid satire of pre-wedding rituals — like the first dance that Charlie and Emma are dutifully rehearsing for, with a ridiculously stern taskmaster of a coach.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
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Born in Michigan, Tolkan served in the Navy before studying at the Actors Studio, eventually becoming Hollywood’s go-to stern authority figure for decades.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Then, trace your finger to its peak, which, to me, was his starring role as smoldering special forces operative Scott McCoy in the 1986 action movie The Delta Force, co-starring a frail-looking but grizzled and unsmiling Lee Marvin in his last movie.—
John DeVore,
Rolling Stone,
20 Mar. 2026
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So much for my unsmiling open mouth in my 2026 passport photo.—
Paul Keane,
Hartford Courant,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Pedretti’s Cherry is the coven’s earnest heart, curious and loyal and often in over her head.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2026
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The Tevatron collider, located at Illinois’ Fermilab, followed suit with its own earnest search but was shut down in 2011.—
Mariangela Lisanti,
Twin Cities,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Humorless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humorless. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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