as in stoic
showing no emotion
He stood there stone-faced while the verdict was announced. a stone-faced judge
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Recent Examples of stone-faced
Both were stone-faced when the jury’s verdicts were read, but afterward Rivera walked over to Nuhfer and gave her a hug at the defense table.
—
Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
As the others grinned and grimaced at their rivals’ responses, Becerra was as stone-faced as Buster Keaton.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Although the Marshallese players were mostly stone-faced, their eyes—briefly flitting over to the crowd and the many cameras that followed them onto the field—belied both their excitement and anxiety at the gravity of the moment.
—Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 21 Apr. 2026
Sitting stone-faced in the audience, Chalamet couldn’t help seeming more princely and entitled by comparison.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Most other Democrats sat stone-faced but some appeared upset or annoyed.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Holland remained stone-faced, listening.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Kansas basketball coach Bill Self, who often remains stone-faced on the bench during games, actually appeared to be outwardly enjoying himself during a 27-7 run that put an exclamation point on the Jayhawks’ 86-62 victory over Kansas State on Saturday night at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2026
The men entered a negotiating room stone-faced.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
As the others grinned and grimaced at their rivals’ responses, Becerra was as stone-faced as Buster Keaton.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Although the Marshallese players were mostly stone-faced, their eyes—briefly flitting over to the crowd and the many cameras that followed them onto the field—belied both their excitement and anxiety at the gravity of the moment.
—Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 21 Apr. 2026
Sitting stone-faced in the audience, Chalamet couldn’t help seeming more princely and entitled by comparison.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Most other Democrats sat stone-faced but some appeared upset or annoyed.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Holland remained stone-faced, listening.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Kansas basketball coach Bill Self, who often remains stone-faced on the bench during games, actually appeared to be outwardly enjoying himself during a 27-7 run that put an exclamation point on the Jayhawks’ 86-62 victory over Kansas State on Saturday night at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2026
The men entered a negotiating room stone-faced.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stone-faced
Adjective
-
Rai put an exclamation point on his championship day with a birdie putt on 17 from nearly 70 feet, which only elicited a subtle fist pump from the stoic Englishman.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
-
During rare lapses, Gilgeous-Alexander has stayed stoic.—
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Stock the table with blank sheets of paper and envelopes to write on and decorate with colorful pens, stickers, stamps, and stencils.—
Kylie Petty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 May 2026
-
Nobody is seriously floating Bob Iger or Howard Schultz as a 2028 presidential prospect — the business-builder, centrist blank canvas onto which Americans might project their hopes and dreams.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
They are obligated to buy the underlying stock at that put's strike price in exchange for the collected premium.—
Oliver Renick,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
-
This style appeals for its timeless charm and ability to feel collected and lived-in over time.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
McIlroy overcame some early inconsistency to put together a composed round, while Burns leaned on excellent ball-striking to match him at the top.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Before Tuesday night, Konate had looked much more composed and commanding.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Your calm precision can keep the whole plan from wobbling.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
-
The outset of war finds her wary yet calm, and our knowledge of her composure under siege means that all following emotional displays shake us like miniature earthquakes.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Some rest their coats, bags and umbrellas on the empty chair next to them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Perfume bottles, empty picture frames, and books arranged by color turn shelves and desks into the curio cabinets of an eclectic collector.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stone-faced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stone-faced. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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