Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dispassionate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dispassionate are equitable, fair, impartial, just, objective, and unbiased. While all these words mean "free from favor toward either or any side," dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment.

a dispassionate summation of the facts

How are the words equitable and just related as synonyms of dispassionate?

Equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned.

the equitable distribution of the property

When is it sensible to use fair instead of dispassionate?

The words fair and dispassionate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests.

a fair decision

When could impartial be used to replace dispassionate?

The meanings of impartial and dispassionate largely overlap; however, impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice.

an impartial third party

Where would just be a reasonable alternative to dispassionate?

In some situations, the words just and dispassionate are roughly equivalent. However, just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper.

a just settlement of territorial claims

When is objective a more appropriate choice than dispassionate?

While in some cases nearly identical to dispassionate, objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings.

I can't be objective about my own child

When would unbiased be a good substitute for dispassionate?

While the synonyms unbiased and dispassionate are close in meaning, unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice.

your unbiased opinion

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dispassionate Policymakers need unbiased and dispassionate analysis from the intelligence community, which in turn has to appreciate and respond to their interests and needs. Paul B. Stares, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2020 To a rational, dispassionate observer, the lack of flags on the Chiefs could simply be the result of Kansas City's superior talent. David K. Li, NBC News, 24 Jan. 2025 The man, no, the boy that 3,000 people had crammed inside London’s Alexandra Palace to see produce history, plus millions more watching at home and in pubs around the UK and the world, was doing it not just with dispassionate ease, or with flamboyant style, but with disdainful relish. Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025 Dylan, a movie stuntwoman at work on a shoot in New Zealand, sounds neither surprised nor concerned: The dispassionate tone between them makes clear that mother and daughter are at least alike in their self-containment. Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for dispassionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispassionate
Adjective
  • Maine’s governor never believed her state would receive an impartial investigation.
    Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 11 Mar. 2025
  • There was no sign of keeping things impartial for Shah, who as the ICC chief is meant to be independent and act without bias.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The department is designed to ensure equitable access to quality education nationwide and enforces protections for students with disabilities, Its dismantling could be more costly for Trump-voting states than blue states, Axios' April Rubin has reported.
    Axios, Axios, 22 Mar. 2025
  • McCourt proposes a more equitable arrangement, allowing creators to carry their followers seamlessly from platform to platform instead.
    Esat Dedezade, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Reciprocal tariffs are meant to place U.S. tariffs equal to those experienced by U.S. goods imported into that region.
    Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Economic theory can reveal a lot about political behavior, including how a president enjoys enough support to wield a policy that, all things equal, costs Americans quite a bit of money.
    Bruce Yandle, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dispassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispassionate. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dispassionate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!