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

Relevance

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 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 After exercising a vice-like grip over the golfing realm with an impassive coolness for months on end, the world No. 1’s unflappable brilliance finally buckled during the second round of the 124th US Open on Friday. —

Jack Bantock, CNN, 14 June 2024 Joe Turkel registers strongly as an elegant, impassive bartender, and Danny Lloyd is acceptably childlike or demonic, as the script demands. —

Arthur Knight, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for impassive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impassive

Adjective

Gladstone has come to specialize in playing close-to-the-vest types, women who can be secretive and watchful but are hardly stoic or repressed.

Dana Stevens, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
Weekly Newsletter In place of a stoic effort to avoid the influence of emotion, thirteenth-century thinkers including Thomas Aquinas sought to use reason to direct the passions correctly, turning them into tools for self-improvement.

Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 25 Nov. 2024