look stern

He was a father who arrived home with flair, stepping in from the garage and shouting, “Hello to my little family-amily,” but he also had a look stern enough to make mischief wither.

He yanked his hand away from Emma, put his fists on his hips, and tried to look stern.

I’d never seen him look stern before.

Your desk is your professional headquarters, but it doesn’t have to look stern and uninviting.

If I’m trying to look stern as I give you a tongue-lashing, I’ll have no difficulty doing so, and you’ll have no difficulty interpreting my glare.