unsmiling

adjective

un·​smil·​ing ˌən-ˈsmī-liŋ How to pronounce unsmiling (audio)
: not smiling or tending to smile : marked by a somber or serious expression or attitude
a stern, unsmiling teacher
unsmilingly adverb
His views were unsmilingly stated, implacably held, and amenable to no reasonable argument. Simon Winchester

Examples of unsmiling in a Sentence

delivered the reprimand with a harsh and unsmiling face
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.
After two years of being locked up and systematically abused by Arkham’s squad of guards led by Jackie Sullivan (Brendan Gleeson), Arthur has become an unsmiling, even more gaunt shell of his former self. Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 4 Oct. 2024 Earlier, an unsmiling Timberlake arrived at the courthouse on the Eastern end of Long Island near The Hamptons this morning to a crowd of reporters, fans and reportedly at least one protester holding a large photograph of a boy who apparently had been killed by a drunk driver. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2024 During the interview, an unsmiling, downcast Affleck gave rambling answers and repeatedly looked off camera, as a clip of the interview shows. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2024 To emphasize Hezbollah’s resolve, hundreds of soldiers marched in precise formation, unsmiling and staring straight ahead, with their rifles across their chests, their fatigues pressed, and their boots gleaming. Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 22 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for unsmiling 

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsmiling was in 1826

Dictionary Entries Near unsmiling

Cite this Entry

“Unsmiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsmiling. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!