deadpan
Deliberately without expression
Deadpan describes a deliberately expressionless manner, especially when delivering humor.
A deadpan face shows no emotion; deadpan comedy relies on the contrast between absurd content and flat delivery: She told the joke completely deadpan.
The word works as adjective, adverb, noun, and verb: He deadpanned the punchline.
Without marks or content
- stone-facedRevealing no expression
- expressionlessShowing no feeling
- impassiveWithout visible emotion
- inscrutableImpossible to understand
inexpressive · unreadable · straight-faced · vacant · wooden · flat · neutral · composed
Irony used to mock
- witClever, inventive humor
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- understatementIntentional diminishment for effect
- dry humorUnderstated, expressionless comedy
comedy · timing · delivery · punchline · quip · drollery · one-liner · absurdist
Single unvarying pitch
- flatLacking vertical variation
- uninflectedWithout grammatical modification
- measuredCarefully considered, unhurried
- matter-of-factUnemotional and practical
unvarying · even · toneless · affectless · restrained · understated · controlled · deliberate
Uncomplaining endurer of hardship
- unflappableImpossible to disturb
- imperturbableIncapable of being upset
- nonchalantCalmly unconcerned
- composedCalm and self-possessed
collected · unfazed · cool · aloof · detached · reserved · phlegmatic · self-possessed
blank
Without marks or content
- stone-facedRevealing no expression
- expressionlessShowing no feeling
- impassiveWithout visible emotion
inscrutable · inexpressive · unreadable · straight-faced · vacant · wooden · flat · neutral · composed · controlled
sarcasm
Irony used to mock
- witClever, inventive humor
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- understatementIntentional diminishment for effect
dry humor · comedy · timing · delivery · punchline · quip · drollery · one-liner · absurdist · Buster Keaton
monotone
Single unvarying pitch
- flatLacking vertical variation
- uninflectedWithout grammatical modification
- measuredCarefully considered, unhurried
matter-of-fact · unvarying · even · toneless · affectless · restrained · understated · controlled · deliberate · calm
stoic
Uncomplaining endurer of hardship
- unflappableImpossible to disturb
- imperturbableIncapable of being upset
- nonchalantCalmly unconcerned
composed · collected · unfazed · cool · aloof · detached · reserved · phlegmatic · self-possessed · unruffled
- comedy termsjokes, puns, wit, sarcasm, irony
- dark witblack humor, dark humor, sardonic humor, caustic wit, biting wit
- comedycomedy, jokes, humor, puns, sarcasm
- humorjoke, jokes, joking, comedy, comic
- theater termsplay, actors, stage play, limelight, directing
- blank expressionspoker face, blank stare, expressionless, stone face, straight face
deadpanexpressive
Showing feelings outwardly
animated · demonstrative · exuberant · lively · vivacious
deadpantheatrical
Exaggeratedly emotional for effect
melodramatic · histrionic · over-the-top · hammy · campy
- deadpan humorComedy without visible emotion
- deadpan jokesHumor delivered expressionlessly
- deadpan comedyHumor delivered expressionlessly
- deadpan deliveryEmotionless comedic performance style
- deadpan comicExpressionless humor performer