STOLID Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

stolid

adjective

ˈstä-ləd

Definition of stolid next

as in blank

not expressing any emotion the butler responded to the duchess's constant demands with stolid indifference

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 stolid 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 Aidan, a character designed to contrast Chris Noth’s withholding Mr. Big and originally scheduled for just three episodes, was also, like much classic American furniture, stolid and unyielding. —

Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 20 June 2023 The entrance to the management building, a stolid modernist structure, was dominated by bronze letters reading cccp. —

Elettra Pauletto, Harper's Magazine, 11 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for stolid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stolid

Adjective

Floria is a portrait of unflappable repression, the sort of level of stress that numbs the muscles in the face to be nothing other than blank.

— Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2025
Because of that match with Liverpool at Wembley, Newcastle’s fixture at Crystal Palace in Gameweek 29 is currently a blank and the fixture has been removed from the official Fantasy Premier League website.

— Abdul Rehman, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025