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expressionlessly

expressionlessly

1 6.0
In a way that shows no feeling on the face
  • adverb
  • /ɪkˈsprɛʃənlɛsli/
translation icon : sin expresión
  • She watched the movie expressionlessly, showing no reaction to the emotional scenes.
  • stared expressionlessly
  • gazing expressionlessly
  • looked at him expressionlessly

Examples

  • Pe Ell looked at him expressionlessly.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The refugees gathered about him, staring expressionlessly.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • "I always take this day to remember him," she went on expressionlessly, turning away again.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Lance looked on expressionlessly from the car.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Daddy is staring expressionlessly straight ahead.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • She would hand him the book expressionlessly and then leave again, sometimes without saying another word.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • "How far is it to Chios?" he asked expressionlessly.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Sebastian stares at her expressionlessly as the elevator doors close.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • My mother went screaming through the back door, squealed out the driveway, and spied me standing expressionlessly on the front porch.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • We track in on Gaear Grimsrud, who sits smoking a cigarette and expressionlessly gazing offscreen.

    Fiction book (1996)

Synonyms

blankly
vsexpressionlessly
16 3.1

In a way that shows no expression or feeling

centres on an empty facial look rather than missing understanding
impassively
vsexpressionlessly
4 6.8

In a way that shows no feeling or reaction

is about lacking facial expression rather than calm lack of response
unemotionally
vsexpressionlessly
1 5.0

In a calm way that does not show feelings

relates specifically to facial expression rather than general detachment
stonily
vsexpressionlessly
1 8.0

In a cold, unfriendly way that shows no feeling

is neutral about facial look rather than a cold or harsh attitude
apathetically
vsexpressionlessly
1 7.3

In a way that shows no interest or energy

is specifically about absence of facial expression rather than lack of concern
inexpressively
vsexpressionlessly
7.4

In a way that shows no feeling on the face

is about absence of facial expression rather than other attitudes
emotionlessly
vsexpressionlessly
6.9

Without showing any feeling

focuses on lack of facial expression rather than general feeling
unaffectedly
vsexpressionlessly
7.8

Calmly without showing any emotion

emphasizes a lack of facial expression rather than simple composure

Antonyms

369 2.7

In a way that shows strong feelings

How Expressive

animatedly
2 4.3
expressively
1 3.7
neutrally
2 3.6
expressionlessly
1 6.0

Surface Forms

expressionlessly positive

Morphology

expressionlessly = expressionless (transparent) = express + ion + less + ly

Formed by adding the productive adverbial suffix '-ly' to the clearly formed adjective 'expressionless'.

Etymology

Expressionlessly is built from expression, from express meaning 'to press out' or 'to show', plus -less meaning 'without' and -ly meaning 'in a way', so it means 'in a way without showing any feeling'.