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 Riles’s face is impassive, focused, as the announcer reads out the winner. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026 Unlike the coolly impassive Pop artists, the Who weren’t afraid to get personal, or to let their art echo the anxious, kinky, maladjusted yammering in their own heads. — Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026 Her face remained impassive even as tears formed and began to travel down her cheek. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for impassive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impassive

Adjective

After the blinding start to a decisive Game 3 against the Las Vegas Aces, after the crawl through quicksand for the rest of it, after the bloody lip and a stoic walk off the floor while cannons spit celebratory smoke into the air.

— Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Like some of the music, the album artwork also pays homage to the animal world and our interconnectedness—the abstract piece offers a single line drawing that weaves in outlines of a panting dog, screeching cat, stoic bunny, and wise owl.

— Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of stoic

Adjective

The blank area, or the area not occupied by the author’s work, has almost the same importance in a book as that occupied by the ink used to print the text.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Nearly six million people cast a blank or spoiled vote — including Alexandre Moreira, a 21-year-old university student.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of blank

Adjective

The 47-year-old, wearing a blue suit and blue tie, was expressionless as the charges against him were described.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 May 2026
The routine calls for this chic, almost expressionless vibe — very different from a typical K-pop performance.

— Billboard Korea, Billboard, 26 Nov. 2025

Definition of expressionless

Adjective

Stephens and several teammates then appeared to taunt the Oregon players and celebrate the dirty play rather than show concern for a fellow college athlete who was lying motionless on the field.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Moore laid motionless on the turf before receiving assistance.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of motionless

Adjective

Disrupting their lives is an enigmatic woman named Cathy Ames, who Adam marries and who gives birth to Cal and Aron.

— Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
But of the leaders of those three mega-bands, perhaps the most mysterious remains Pete Townshend, The Who’s songwriter and enigmatic eminence, thrashing chords and smashing guitars while Roger Daltrey handled lead vocals.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of enigmatic

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“Impassive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impassive. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of impassive

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