Synonyms and antonyms of Words used to describe facial expressions in British Thesaurus

absent (adjective)

showing that you are not paying attention to what is happening because you are thinking about something else

appealing (adjective)

an appealing look, voice etc shows that you want help, approval, or agreement

beatific (adjective)

literary a beatific expression on your face is extremely happy and peaceful

black (adjective)

showing angry or unhappy feelings

bleak (adjective)

used about someone’s expression

brooding (adjective)

looking as if you are thinking and worrying about something

bug-eyed (adjective)

informal very excited or interested, so that your eyes are wide open

curious (adjective)

used about someone’s expression

dark (adjective)

a dark look or remark is angry and threatening

darkly (adverb)

in an angry and threatening way

deadpan (adjective)

pretending to be serious when you are really joking

doleful (adjective)

looking sad

downcast (adjective)

downcast eyes are looking downwards, especially because you are sad, embarrassed, or shy

dreamy (adjective)

a dreamy look, expression etc shows that you are thinking about something pleasant rather than paying attention

etched (adjective)

mainly literary if a feeling is etched on someone’s face, their expression shows clearly what they are feeling

expressionless (adjective)

not allowing your feelings to show in your face, eyes, or voice

faint (adjective)

used about the expression on someone’s face

fixed (adjective)

a fixed expression on someone’s face does not change or look natural

glazed (adjective)

a glazed look or expression shows no interest or emotion

glowering (adjective)

looking very angry

grave (adjective)

looking very serious and worried

haunted (adjective)

someone who has a haunted look looks frightened or worried

hunted (adjective)

someone who has a hunted look seems very worried or frightened

meaningful (adjective)

expressing a clear feeling or thought without words

mild (adjective)

a mild feeling or expression is one that is not very strong or severe

mischievous (adjective)

a mischievous look or expression shows that you enjoy having fun by causing trouble

mobile (adjective)

moving a lot and showing changes in what you are feeling

Mona Lisa (adjective)

used for describing a mysterious smile or expression on a woman’s face

on someone’s face ()

used for saying that someone’s face has a particular expression

pained (adjective)

showing that you feel very upset or unhappy

pitying (adjective)

a pitying expression shows that you feel pity for someone, but sometimes also that shows you do not think they deserve respect

pleading (adjective)

a pleading look shows that you want something very much

pleadingly (adverb)

if you say something pleadingly, or if you look at someone pleadingly, your voice or expression shows that you want something very much

quizzical (adjective)

showing that you are confused or surprised by something, and perhaps that you think it is rather strange and funny

radiant (adjective)

someone who is radiant looks extremely happy

roguish (adjective)

a roguish expression suggests that someone is likely to do something that is wrong but not harmful

sardonic (adjective)

a sardonic smile, expression, or comment shows a lack of respect for what someone else has said or done

set (adjective)

a set smile or expression does not change, and often hides what someone is really thinking

shamefaced (adjective)

with an expression that shows you feel ashamed about something

slack-jawed (adjective)

informal with your mouth open

sly (adjective)

a sly smile, look, or remark shows that the person doing it knows something that other people do not know

smiley (adjective)

informal smiling, or tending to smile often

straight face ()

if someone has a straight face, they look serious even though they are saying something funny or are in a funny situation

straight-faced (adjective)

not showing that you want to laugh

sullen (adjective)

showing that you are in an unhappy mood, and do not want to talk

sullen (adjective)

used about someone’s expression or attitude

taut (adjective)

used about something such as a voice or expression that shows someone is nervous or angry

thoughtful (adjective)

used about someone’s face or expression

tight-lipped (adjective)

someone who is tight-lipped has their lips pressed tightly together because they are annoyed about something or they do not approve of it

unblinking (adjective)

mainly literary looking straight at someone or something without closing your eyes at all

unreadable (adjective)

mainly literary if someone’s face, eyes, or expression are unreadable, you cannot guess what they are thinking

vacant (adjective)

looking as if you do not understand or are not paying attention

wan (adjective)

used about someone who looks very sad

wanly (adverb)

with a tired sad expression on your face

wide-eyed (adjective)

with an expression that shows that you are very surprised, frightened, or impressed

wild-eyed (adjective)

someone who is wild-eyed looks very angry or frightened

withering (adjective)

a withering look, expression, or remark deliberately makes you feel silly or embarrassed

wolfish (adjective)

looking as though you want to hurt or trick someone

worried (adjective)

used about the expression on people’s faces

wry (adjective)

showing that you think something is funny but not very pleasant, often by the expression on your face