Synonyms of stolid

stolid

adjective

ˈstä-ləd 

1

as in blank

not expressing any emotion

the butler responded to the duchess's constant demands with stolid indifference

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blank
• impassive
• expressionless
• enigmatic
• motionless
• vacant
• empty
• dull
• enigmatical
• catatonic
• inexpressive
• vague
• deadpan
• numb
• restrained
• detached
• mysterious
• wooden
• static
• inscrutable
• vacuous
• vapid
• impenetrable
• phlegmatic
• reserved
• aloof
• still
• cold
• indifferent
• taciturn
• reticent
• unresponsive
• apathetic
• cool

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expressive
• demonstrative
• engaged
• active
• dynamic
• responsive
• interested
• energetic
• lively
• exuberant
• vivacious
• busy
• expansive
• bright
• effervescent
• alive
• animated
• eloquent
• revealing
• revelatory
• emotional
• gestural
• theatrical
• melodramatic
• unrestrained
• unreserved
• gestic
• theatric
• gesticulatory
• gesticulative
• gesticulant

2

as in stoic

not feeling or showing emotion

the actor's turn as a stolid, impersonal bureaucrat was an interesting departure from his more impassioned roles

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stoic
• stoical
• bland
• phlegmatic
• passionless
• calm
• impassive
• enigmatical
• unemotional
• emotionless
• undemonstrative
• enigmatic
• apathetic
• detached
• numb
• affectless
• impassible
• dry
• cold-blooded
• empty
• composed
• collected
• dispassionate
• reserved
• unmoved
• imperturbable
• cold
• wooden
• unflappable
• taciturn
• expressionless
• blank
• inexpressive
• deadpan
• cool
• aloof
• inscrutable
• vacant
• reticent
• stone-faced
• unsentimental
• impersonal
• indifferent
• pitiless
• objective
• unresponsive
• unconcerned
• impenetrable
• bloodless
• thoughtless
• straight-faced
• unfeeling
• inconsiderate
• hard-hearted
• insensible

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• emotional
• passionate
• fervent
• impassioned
• demonstrative
• vehement
• fervid
• enthusiastic
• fiery
• ardent
• zealous
• passional
• burning
• sentimental
• red-hot
• flaming
• blazing
• glowing
• dramatic
• sympathetic
• hot-blooded
• mawkish
• mushy
• melodramatic
• responsive
• compassionate
• histrionic
• warm-blooded
• reactive
• sensitive
• gung ho
• maudlin
• perfervid
• gushing
• overemotional
• overheated

Synonym Chooser

How is the word stolid distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of stolid are apathetic, impassive, phlegmatic, and stoic. While all these words mean "unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion," stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity.

stolid workers wedded to routine

In what contexts can apathetic take the place of stolid?

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

charitable appeals met an apathetic response

When would impassive be a good substitute for stolid?

While in some cases nearly identical to stolid, impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression.

met the news with an impassive look

When could phlegmatic be used to replace stolid?

While the synonyms phlegmatic and stolid are close in meaning, phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse.

a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

Where would stoic be a reasonable alternative to stolid?

The meanings of stoic and stolid largely overlap; however, 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stolid

Its plot is as clever as its imagination is stolid, its subjects are as serious as its approach to them is bland. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024

Though even his private self might not be able to articulate it, this crushing cycle—strutting boy into stuck, stolid man—is what Gar’s running from. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2024

In truth, not even the most stolid skeptic maintains that Trump is a perfectly normal politician, and not even the most histrionic #Resistance foot soldier believes that Trump is literally Orange Hitler. —Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2024

Buck is more reassuringly stolid than live-wire Bucky, but both are models of courage. —Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 25 Jan. 2024

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!