UNSMILING Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

unsmiling

adjective

ˌən-ˈsmī-liŋ

Definition of unsmiling

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

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.

Recent Examples of unsmiling 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 Then, trace your finger to its peak, which, to me, was his starring role as smoldering special forces operative Scott McCoy in the 1986 action movie The Delta Force, co-starring a frail-looking but grizzled and unsmiling Lee Marvin in his last movie. — John Devore, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026 After school one day, an unsmiling official from a mysterious worldwide organization, Eva Stratt (played by German actress Sandra Hüller, of Anatomy of a Fall and The Zone of Interest), accosts him and humorlessly recruits him for a special project. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsmiling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsmiling

Adjective

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.

— Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Dozens of firefighters lined the street in a solemn salute to their fallen colleagues.

— Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 29 June 2026

Definition of solemn

Adjective

Beijing has and been accused of serious human violations, including large-scale arbitrary detention of Uyghur and other Muslim minorities, in Xinjiang.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Prosecutors said Anthony Edmond and Rafael Enriquez face the most serious charges, including conspiracy involving firearms trafficking, machineguns and drug trafficking.

— Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of serious

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unsmart

unsmiling

unsmoothed

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“Unsmiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsmiling. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of unsmiling

adjective

Example Sentences

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