Skip to main content
expressionlessly

expressionlessly

1 6.0
In a way that shows no feeling on the face
  • adverb
  • /ɪkˈsprɛʃənlɛsli/
: 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
14 3.1

In a way that shows no expression or feeling

centres on an empty facial look rather than missing understanding
impassively
vsexpressionlessly
3 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
emotionlessly
vsexpressionlessly
1 6.9

Without showing any feeling

focuses on lack of facial expression rather than general feeling
unaffectedly
vsexpressionlessly
1 7.8

Calmly without showing any emotion

emphasizes a lack of facial expression rather than simple composure
inexpressively
vsexpressionlessly
1 7.4

In a way that shows no feeling on the face

is about absence of facial expression rather than other attitudes

Antonyms

369 2.7

In a way that shows strong feelings

How Expressive

animatedly
2 4.3
expressively
1 3.7
neutrally
3 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'.