1
2

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

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 impassive Schuyler was impassive and outwardly calm, but in his very calm projected a certain vulnerability. Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025 The impassive march of content and the shuffling tread of death. Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025 The calm pool, impassive and lovely, kept tempting me. Hazlitt, 6 Aug. 2025 Blount, who appeared wearing a white button-down shirt and tie, his hands shackled in front of him, his bulging gut and beige tie spilling over his beige pants, appeared impassive and refused to meet his victim’s gaze as Rothschild addressed him personally. Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for impassive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impassive
Adjective
  • The comment is a nod to the stoic—or perhaps desensitized—demeanor of younger travelers in the face of stressors that rattle many.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Successful in disputing Dunbar’s religious exception status are true and deep, Disney’s 20th TV Friday were almost stoic in their victory.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As a completely blank canvas, the venue space is versatile, offering multiple layouts for large-scale events and floor-to-ceiling windows.
    Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025
  • It was filled with blank pieces of paper .
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Bale ran to the corner of the pitch, and, having been an expressionless bystander for much of the evening, shouted in ecstasy.
    Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2022
  • The company poured $10 billion into its Reality Labs division last year, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg was criticized last week after posting a selfie that showed an expressionless version of his avatar in front of the Eiffel Tower.
    Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2022
Adjective
  • In Sunday’s match between Elche and Athletic Club, however, Spanish broadcaster DAZN showed a wide angle of all 22 players motionless for the 15 seconds.
    Colin Millar, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Howard went down hard after hitting another player and remained motionless on the field as trainers rushed to his side.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Mia Wasikowska plays Edith, an heiress who marries a seductive baron, Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston), and moves into his enormous, decaying mansion — which is also inhabited by Thomas' enigmatic sister, Lucille (Jessica Chastain).
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Brides finds Sally Bishop (Cooke) and her husband on a trip to Northern Italy in 1961, where they get stranded at a remote villa run by the enigmatic Vova (Lawtey), who presides over a household of beautiful, deathless women (Turner-Smith, Prettejohn) and their caretaker (Gorman).
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impassive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impassive. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on impassive

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!