straight face

noun

: a face giving no evidence of emotion and especially of merriment
lied with a straight face
straight-faced adjective
straight-facedly adverb

Examples of straight face in a Sentence

She lied with a straight face. The students quickly put on straight faces as the teacher walked into the room.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
With the sweeping and vague language of Trump’s order and the notorious nature of Guantanamo as a place where human rights abuses can be kept out of sight, will the U.S. be able to defend itself against such accusations with a straight face? The Miami Herald Editorial Board, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2025 My reaction: Davidson said this with a straight face after back-to-back periods (the third versus the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday and the first versus the Minnesota Wild on Sunday) with one shot on goal, a franchise first. Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025 For too long, the cups were seen as the way for Spurs to save their season but who could claim now, with a straight face, that Tottenham are going to win a trophy? Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025 Few people—even in the tobacco industry—will argue with a straight face that cigarettes are safe. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for straight face 

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of straight face was in 1837

Dictionary Entries Near straight face

Cite this Entry

“Straight face.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/straight%20face. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

straight face

noun
: a face giving no evidence of feeling and especially of amusement
straight-faced
ˈstrāt-ˈfāst
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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