look stern

Aunt Maria tried to look stern at the compliment, but eventually thawed into a smile over it.

The purple bloom had quite faded from the heather, and the hills began to look stern and bleak in the cheerless afternoon.

The good people of Sauveterre thought he did not look stern and solemn enough for his profession.

Judge Fell could look stern enough when he chose, and now his eyes flashed at this invasion of his home.

Her brows had been knitted, and she had tried to look stern and angry, but suddenly her cheeks were a flood of tears.