stony-faced

American

[stoh-nee-feyst] / ˈstoʊ niˈfeɪst /

Also stone-faced

adjective

having a rigid, expressionless face.

Etymology

Origin of stony-faced

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When he isn’t mugging for Reed’s camera he vacillates between a stony-faced refusal to admit guilt and an approximation of remorse.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2024

“I’ve decided I am not planning to run in 2027,” a stony-faced Mr. Ceferin said as he read from prepared notes.

From New York Times • Feb. 8, 2024

Cameron was the polar opposite to a stony-faced Taylor on the top table, saying she was embracing the moment and enjoying Dublin much more than she did in May.

From BBC • Nov. 23, 2023

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse looked on stony-faced in the first game since his best player was ruled out of the tournament.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 21, 2022

All we need to get back in line is one of Mami’s desperate looks or Papi’s stony-faced ¡No! that allows for no further argument or discussion.

From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023