as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner
delivered the reprimand with a harsh and unsmiling face
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsmiling
So much for my unsmiling open mouth in my 2026 passport photo.
—
Paul Keane,
Hartford Courant,
8 Mar. 2026
In one, a worker bee barks like a Georgia bulldog at his unsmiling boss.
—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
2 Feb. 2026
Often taunted by tabloids for her unsmiling demeanor, Victoria shows off her sense of humor and gets real about some of the most difficult parts of her past, including her struggles with an eating disorder and almost losing her fashion business entirely.
—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
The single mother of three was at her job that morning when she was asked to report immediately to the front of the building, where Wainscott was met by police officers — who showed her a photo of an unsmiling man in his early 30s, with short brown hair and a light goatee.
—
Charlotte Observer,
2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsmiling
Paul Keane,
Hartford Courant,
8 Mar. 2026
In one, a worker bee barks like a Georgia bulldog at his unsmiling boss.
—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
2 Feb. 2026
Often taunted by tabloids for her unsmiling demeanor, Victoria shows off her sense of humor and gets real about some of the most difficult parts of her past, including her struggles with an eating disorder and almost losing her fashion business entirely.
—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
The single mother of three was at her job that morning when she was asked to report immediately to the front of the building, where Wainscott was met by police officers — who showed her a photo of an unsmiling man in his early 30s, with short brown hair and a light goatee.
—
Charlotte Observer,
2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsmiling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsmiling
Adjective
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Ureña, a 22-year-old right-hander who has emerged as another potential ace, speaks of Soriano with a giddy amusement mixed with a solemn respect for how the starter has survived in the big leagues.
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Dozens of firefighters lined the street in a solemn salute to their fallen colleagues.
Adjective
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England, which has been patchy so far, poses the sternest test yet for the co-hosts.
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With upcoming opponents Croatia providing a sterner test in possession, Portugal’s defensive display will be under greater scrutiny.
Adjective
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Beijing has and been accused of serious human violations, including large-scale arbitrary detention of Uyghur and other Muslim minorities, in Xinjiang.
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Prosecutors said Anthony Edmond and Rafael Enriquez face the most serious charges, including conspiracy involving firearms trafficking, machineguns and drug trafficking.
Cite this Entry
“Unsmiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsmiling. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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