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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deadpan
The deadpan one-liners exaggerating his strength, speed and toughness to absurd levels, turned Norris into one of the internet’s first global memes.
—
Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
The comedian, now in her third year taking on the role, has often created viral moments on the carpet through her quippy, deadpan interviews with celebrities.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Her deadpan line deliveries in the Maniscalco sketch and the Irish dancer pretape were high points.
—Charu Sinha, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2026
Scott plays to his strengths as a performer with an ironic demeanor well-versed in deadpan humor.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deadpan
Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
The comedian, now in her third year taking on the role, has often created viral moments on the carpet through her quippy, deadpan interviews with celebrities.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Her deadpan line deliveries in the Maniscalco sketch and the Irish dancer pretape were high points.
—Charu Sinha, Vulture, 15 Mar. 2026
Scott plays to his strengths as a performer with an ironic demeanor well-versed in deadpan humor.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deadpan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadpan
Adjective
-
These plants are easy to maintain, and grow quickly, allowing and blank space in your containers to appear lush and full.—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The blank walls stared at her, vacant pinholes made by previous tenants peering down like dark, shrunken pupils.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The routine calls for this chic, almost expressionless vibe — very different from a typical K-pop performance.—
Billboard Korea,
Billboard,
26 Nov. 2025
-
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
-
The 1999 film, shot primarily in Seattle, starred Julia Stiles as the fiercely independent Kat Stratford, Larisa Oleynik as her sister, Bianca, and Heath Ledger as the enigmatic Patrick Verona.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Salahuddin plays the enigmatic leader of the titular cult, with Strassner as lovable cult member Toddrick.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Bakri’s face is impassive and exhausted during this casual debasement, his voice low, and his tone deadpan, as though Salim has been forced to do all this a million times before.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Dressed in a blue sweatshirt and surrounded by court officers, Henderson remained impassive.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
At the outset, Martin (William Giammona) is as stolid as a piece of furniture, standing stock still at center stage, the black rectangle through which the other actors enter and exit like a deep void behind him.—
Steven Winn,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
-
During Saturn and Pluto’s sextile, your cautious 8th house and your stolid 6th house combine delicate topics with practical know-how.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deadpan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadpan. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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