Dry-eyed

Describing a state where someone is not crying, showing no tears, or expressing little to no outward emotion, particularly when witnessing something that would typically evoke sadness or distress. It implies emotional restraint or composure, which might be due to stoicism, shock, emotional exhaustion, or an inability to process intense feelings. It often suggests a disconnect between the observed event and the individual's emotional response, leaving an impression of detachment or coldness, although this isn't always the case. The dryness of the eyes serves as a visible indicator of an internal state where tears are absent, signifying a lack of visible emotional expression.

Dry-eyed meaning with examples

• After hearing the news of the accident, Sarah remained dry-eyed, staring blankly ahead. The silence felt heavier than any outburst of grief. Her friends were bewildered by her lack of tears, unsure if she was in shock or simply unable to process such devastating information so soon after receiving the news.
• The veteran, recalling the horrors of war, listened to the memorial service with a dry-eyed, unreadable expression. Years of training and exposure to trauma had hardened him. The lack of visible emotion, however, didn't mean he wasn't deeply affected internally; rather, his feelings remained hidden.
• Despite the emotional climax of the film, many audience members walked out dry-eyed. The complex plot, convoluted characters and unrealistic storyline left some feeling completely detached from the characters’ journeys and unaffected by the outcome of the story.
• Facing the judge's pronouncements, she maintained a dry-eyed demeanor, hiding her true thoughts. Her lawyer squeezed her arm reassuringly. Though her composure was admirable, the coldness in her eyes suggested a storm of emotions raging silently beneath the surface.
• The child, usually prone to tantrums, accepted her scraped knee with a dry-eyed calmness. Her mother could see the emotional struggle in her clenched jaw, but the tears didn't come. Perhaps exhaustion or a coping mechanism had silenced her distress, for the moment anyway.