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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 deadpan
One of his most recent curatorial successes, a 2023-24 retrospective of Ed Ruscha, known for his deadpan wit, received praise from critics.
—
Zachary Small, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
In expressing their disbelief, people have been known to run away screaming or even burst into tears while Blaine maintains his deadpan, stoic facade.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 22 Mar. 2025
Armed with her signature razor-sharp wit and deadpan charm, Wednesday is also plunged into a new bone-chilling supernatural mystery.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Gonzales also has the right deadpan style to carry the tone of the books.
—Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadpan
Zachary Small, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
In expressing their disbelief, people have been known to run away screaming or even burst into tears while Blaine maintains his deadpan, stoic facade.
—Jenelle Riley, Variety, 22 Mar. 2025
Armed with her signature razor-sharp wit and deadpan charm, Wednesday is also plunged into a new bone-chilling supernatural mystery.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Gonzales also has the right deadpan style to carry the tone of the books.
—Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadpan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadpan
Adjective
-
Since late March, ocean freight rates have largely remained level to both U.S. coasts, largely due to the blank sailings cancelling out the collapse in imports.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
12 May 2025
-
The 17 confirmed blank sailings in May alone are equivalent to 225,000 fewer 20-foot equivalent units of cargo, or TEUs.—
Caroline Petrow-Cohen,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
The company poured $10 billion into its Reality Labs division last year, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg was criticized last week after posting a selfie that showed an expressionless version of his avatar in front of the Eiffel Tower.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
30 Aug. 2022
Adjective
-
Since emerging in 2016, the English prog-metal outfit Sleep Token have become one of rock’s most enigmatic success stories.—
Maura Johnston,
Rolling Stone,
9 May 2025
-
The feature, based on an award-winning short, traces the story of an enigmatic old man living in the dunes who is unjustly accused of killing a local.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
But my neighbor, impassive, lethargically tapped his forefinger against his Post.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
-
The tone and point of view were lofty, sharp-eyed, seemingly impassive.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Left wing-progressives, once skeptical of the status quo, have become stolid guardians of institutions, while right-wing conservatives – once champions of prudence – are tearing down fences.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Chris is young and eager to impress; Duncan, who’s being reluctantly put out to pasture after this last mission, is jokey and irreverent (not a stretch for Harrelson); and Dave is ultra-serious, conveying authority through his stolid demeanor.—
Frank Scheck,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Deadpan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadpan. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share