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 courage has many faces, and a revolution takes all sorts — and one made up only of unsmiling soldiers is likely to lead only to war.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 16 June 2024
She’s clipped, judgmental and unsmiling—there hasn’t been a figure of such puritanical disapproval since Amy Adams in The Master.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
Belichick, known for his rumpled appearance, unsmiling countenance and monotone voice, was celebrated as savant, savior and sage.
—Bill Pennington, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2024
Other people worry that political tensions and anxiety over such things as the death of democracy and the climate crisis have left us collectively unsmiling—that now the only thing people are likely to talk about at a water cooler is cooler water.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for unsmiling 
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 16 June 2024
She’s clipped, judgmental and unsmiling—there hasn’t been a figure of such puritanical disapproval since Amy Adams in The Master.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
Belichick, known for his rumpled appearance, unsmiling countenance and monotone voice, was celebrated as savant, savior and sage.
—Bill Pennington, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2024
Other people worry that political tensions and anxiety over such things as the death of democracy and the climate crisis have left us collectively unsmiling—that now the only thing people are likely to talk about at a water cooler is cooler water.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for unsmiling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsmiling
Adjective
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Standing in front of the CIA Memorial Wall—the agency’s most important and solemn location—Trump offered remarks that resembled a campaign event, rambling from one random topic to another, including how big the crowds were at his inauguration.—
Peter Schroeder,
Foreign Affairs,
17 Jan. 2025
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Seated beside the President-elect, who donned a dark suit and royal blue tie, Melania Trump appeared noticeably solemn.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
WWD,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Commenting on the matter via Movistar, Madrid legend and respected pundit Jorge Valdano suggested that Vinicius needs to be taken to one side and given some stern advice.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
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Don’t be surprised if you get pulled over for driving with snow and ice on your roof and are given a stern warning.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Try to limit work overloads and avoid any more serious injuries.—
Art de Roché,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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If left untreated, HACE can induce a coma within 12 to 24 hours. High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a serious condition that can develop on its own or with AMS and HACE.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near unsmiling
Cite this Entry
“Unsmiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsmiling. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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