impassive

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpa-siv How to pronounce impassive (audio)
Definition of impassivenext
1
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
2
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 Taveras places his left hand near his heart, but remains impassive. —Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025 As for the Bruckner, the Berliners succeeded in animating a figure who is too often treated as an impassive statue. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024 Navigating the new era of AI innovation While Keith Davidson faces ongoing questioning, former president Donald Trump is largely an impassive figure in... —Washington Post, 25 May 2024 Our first Killarney run combined the fervent greenness of the previous day with the impassive steepness of our earlier outings. —Alexandra Kleeman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for impassive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impassive
  1. stoic
  2. blank
  3. expressionless
  4. enigmatic
Adjective
  • Only at the end of the second episode does the stoic fixer allow himself to be unleashed.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Jack Schumacher’s Yancy Grey, who can be seen later on in the trailer risking it all for a rodeo ride, asks Cap Fuller (James Brolin) about the stoic Staten.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of stoic
Adjective
  • Newport and her production crew have taken this blank canvas and created a spectacular world for the two characters.
    — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Think of it as the blank canvas of carbonated drinks.
    — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of blank
Adjective
  • Subjects were shown pictures of two expressionless male faces over and over.
    — Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 11 Sep. 2012
  • 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
Definition of expressionless
Adjective
  • Seek out the most compelling narratives that inspire enigmatic perfumes from cult favorites like 19-69 and D.S & Durga.
    — Bianca Salonga, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Perseverance's adventures have revealed some insights about the enigmatic Martian geology.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of enigmatic

Browse Nearby Words

impassions
impassive
impassively
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Cite this Entry

“Impassive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impassive. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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