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

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

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 Bakri’s face is impassive and exhausted during this casual debasement, his voice low, and his tone deadpan, as though Salim has been forced to do all this a million times before. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026 Dressed in a blue sweatshirt and surrounded by court officers, Henderson remained impassive. — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026 Despite his impassive eyes, balding pate, and slit of a smile, Robert Duvall could be volcanic and melancholic, mysterious and straightforward, vengeful and merciful. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026 His face was impassive, his sunglasses up, arms churning through the last of the midafternoon light. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impassive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impassive

Adjective

Blumberg maintained a stoic face but was experiencing a range of emotions.

— Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
All four stars ably play the stoic and sorrowful notes required of them, without finding many secondary or contrasting ones in their dialogue.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of stoic

Adjective

Seko is advising shippers to build seven- to 10-day-plus buffers into east China bookings and prepare for potential port omissions, blank sailings and cargo diversions to alternative gateways including Qingdao, Busan and Hong Kong.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
The familiar last name and near-blank political slate pulled him in.

— Saige Miller, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of blank

Adjective

In a scary scene at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, Philadelphia Eagles running back Ja’Quinden Jackson lay motionless on the field following the opening kickoff against the New England Patriots.

— Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
On the flight after the impromptu stop, Yeltsin sat motionless with his head in his hands, considering the bare shelves of Soviet food markets.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of motionless

Adjective

For the next 90 days, NASA teams will ready the Roman telescope for its five-year mission to study enigmatic phenomena like dark matter while hunting for habitable worlds beyond our solar system.

— Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Matt, whose perspective is largely withheld, remains the most enigmatic of the group, and the one most desperately sought after.

— Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of enigmatic

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“Impassive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impassive. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of impassive

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