IMPASSIVE Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'impassive' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of impassive are apathetic , phlegmatic , stoic , and stolid . While all these words mean "unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion," impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression. // met the news with an impassive look

Q: When is 'apathetic' a more appropriate choice than 'impassive'?

The synonyms apathetic and impassive are sometimes interchangeable, but apathetic may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness. // charitable appeals met an apathetic response

Q: When is it sensible to use 'phlegmatic' instead of 'impassive'?

Although the words phlegmatic and impassive have much in common, phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse. // a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

Q: Where would 'stoic' be a reasonable alternative to 'impassive'?

The words stoic and impassive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stoic implies an apparent indifference to pleasure or especially to pain often as a matter of principle or self-discipline. // was resolutely stoic even in adversity

Q: When could 'stolid' be used to replace 'impassive'?

The words stolid and impassive can be used in similar contexts, but stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity. // stolid workers wedded to routine

impassive

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpa-siv

Definition of impassive next

as in stoic

not feeling or showing emotion she remained impassive as the officers informed her of her son's death

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in blank

not expressing any emotion an impassive expression on the prisoner's face as his sentence was read

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word impassive distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of impassive are apathetic, phlegmatic, stoic, and stolid. While all these words mean "unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion," impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression.

met the news with an impassive look

When is apathetic a more appropriate choice than impassive?

The synonyms apathetic and impassive are sometimes interchangeable, but apathetic may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness.

charitable appeals met an apathetic response

When is it sensible to use phlegmatic instead of impassive?

Although the words phlegmatic and impassive have much in common, phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse.

a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

Where would stoic be a reasonable alternative to impassive?

The words stoic and impassive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stoic implies an apparent indifference to pleasure or especially to pain often as a matter of principle or self-discipline.

was resolutely stoic even in adversity

When could stolid be used to replace impassive?

The words stolid and impassive can be used in similar contexts, but stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity.

stolid workers wedded to routine

Examples 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 impassive Our first Killarney run combined the fervent greenness of the previous day with the impassive steepness of our earlier outings. —

Alexandra Kleeman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2024 The first 18-plus of its 22 seasons were led by Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the impassive Special Agent in Charge and boss extraordinaire who liked to build boats in his basement in his spare time. —

Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2024 The carved, impassive face that suddenly droops, drags, goes baggy with the weight of being alive. —

James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Oct. 2024 Glamorous, amber-colored Radley was in full big-sister mode all afternoon: obedient, impassive, and a little over it after the first few set-ups. —

Marley Marius, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for impassive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impassive

Adjective

Oscar, older and more outwardly stoic, has no guarantees.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2024
Arthur and my mum share mystery novels and classical music and the kind of endless, expressive conversation that confused and exhausted my quiet, stoic, old-school European dad.

— Carolyn Figel, Hazlitt, 27 Nov. 2024