inexpressive

Examples

• All

• It left his audience vulnerable as well, because even if he had not forgotten that one word, they would have heard the same hurried, wholly inexpressive, rote recitation.

  Academic text (2004)

• Even inexpressive guys like Mitch can yearn for something beyond the shabby streets of Rego Park.

  Fiction book (1995)

• She appears still and inexpressive, rarely interjecting.

  Academic text (2017)

• Her name was Faunia Farley, and whatever miseries she endured she kept concealed behind one of those inexpressive bone faces that hide nothing and bespeak an immense loneliness.

  Fiction book (2001)

• We then cut to Lydia's rather staid party, full of middle-aged guests, who are gathered around a man playing a slow, rather inexpressive ragtime—quite a contrast to Jack's raucous jazz.

  Blog text (22)

• Her face was completely inexpressive, revealing none of her thoughts or feelings during the meeting.

• Despite the tense situation, he remained inexpressive, showing no signs of fear or concern.

• The actor's inexpressive performance failed to convey the depth of the character's emotional struggles.

Synonyms

C

clinical

vsinexpressive

32 6.5

Not showing emotion or personal involvement

is similar but often implies a detached scientific attitude

A

apathetic

vsinexpressive

24 6.8

Not showing much interest or energy

is more about inner lack of interest than mere blank facial expression

V

vacant

vsinexpressive

• Offensive

18 4.1

Having a blank look that shows no thought or interest

is about lack of expression but the linked term suggests absent thought or interest

E

expressionless

vsinexpressive

11 4.4

Having a face or way of acting that shows no feeling

is the same idea but stronger showing no emotion at all

I

impassive

vsinexpressive

11 7.1

Not showing any feeling on the face or in the voice

is similar but may allow slight expression rather than total blankness

U

unemotional

vsinexpressive

11 4.4

Not showing strong feelings

is focused on outward lack of expression rather than inner state

S

stony

vsinexpressive

7 6.5

Showing no feeling or sympathy

is the same lack of expression but has a harsher unfeeling tone

U

unsmiling

vsinexpressive

3 4.0

Having a serious face that looks unfriendly

is more general covering lack of expression not only lack of smiling

P

poker-faced

vsinexpressive

• Informal

1 6.9

Not showing emotion to hide thoughts or feelings

is similar but does not imply deliberate control or hiding

A

affectless

vsinexpressive

1 9.3

A person who shows no emotion in the face or voice

is the same core idea but the key allows very little expression

C

cold-eyed

vsinexpressive

1 7.6

Not showing strong feeling when judging something

is about lack of visible feeling rather than purposeful objectivity

U

unexpressive

vsinexpressive

5.5

A person or thing that shows very little feeling in the face and voice

is identical in meaning with no difference in use

I

impassible

vsinexpressive

8.3

Not showing any emotion on the face

is similar but focuses on being unaffected as well as expressionless

N

nonexpressive

vsinexpressive

7.0

Showing no feelings on the face or in actions

is similar but emphasizes face and manner rather than general behavior

U

undemonstrative

vsinexpressive

7.6

Does not show feelings openly to other people

is about showing little expression rather than deliberate restraint

U

undemonstrated

vsinexpressive

7.6

Not showing feelings openly so others cannot tell how they feel

is similar but stresses lack of outward display as a trait

A

athymic

vsinexpressive

• Specialized

9.9

Not showing much feeling

is similar but the linked term implies lacking normal emotional responses

Antonyms

E

expressive

41 3.4

Showing feelings and ideas clearly in the face or voice

How Expressive

expressive

41 3.4

animated

30 3.7

reserved

3.7

inexpressive

1 5.5

expressionless

11 4.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology