variants or stoical
1
2

Synonym Chooser

How is the word stoic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of stoic are apathetic, impassive, phlegmatic, and stolid. While all these words mean "unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion," 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 is it sensible to use apathetic instead of stoic?

The synonyms apathetic and stoic are sometimes interchangeable, but apathetic may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness.

charitable appeals met an apathetic response

When could impassive be used to replace stoic?

The words impassive and stoic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression.

met the news with an impassive look

When can phlegmatic be used instead of stoic?

While in some cases nearly identical to stoic, phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse.

a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

When would stolid be a good substitute for stoic?

While the synonyms stolid and stoic are close in meaning, 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 stoic His emotions know how to run the gamut from comedy to tragedy, deftly moving past his humorous nature to being more stoic when the heat gets turned up for the Blazing Trojans. Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025 Their more recent public displays of affection are a stark departure from years past, when the Prince and Princess of Wales were typically more stoic in their interactions publicly. Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025 The public now sees a more stoic player with a plethora of outside interests, but mistaking his demeanor for complacency is dangerous. Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025 Hemingway’s letters to Ross about the piece are admirably stoic and steadfast. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stoic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stoic
Adjective
  • Such figures are not surprising to those closely observing how AI is transforming medical workflows, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and improving patient outcomes.
    Paul Kovalenko, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • For its lead program in Friedreich ataxia (FA), the company has observed promising preclinical results, including restoration of frataxin (FXN) levels in patient cells and animal models.
    Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But fear is a concept that floats somewhere beyond your immediate reach, like that numb hand lying naked in the snow.
    Outside Online, Outside Online, 19 Feb. 2025
  • In a season of record lows, there is almost a numb sensation accompanying Manchester United’s slump to 15th place in the table.
    Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The story of children financially supporting their immigrant parents can feed into the myth of the Asian American model minority, which, in part, stereotypes Asian Americans as obedient, hard-working and uncomplaining.
    Mike Dang, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2023
  • Queen Elizabeth II was formal, interested, uncomplaining, and always respectful.
    Caitlin Flanagan, The Atlantic, 12 Nov. 2022
Adjective
  • Both drivers have been relatively calm in the past, but that composure seemed to unravel today.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
  • The one child was screaming and running up and down, and the other child was really calm and quiet.
    Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Some of the more jarring sequences remain amusing despite their brashness: At one point, for example, Mickey narrates a shocking vignette—about a psychopath on Earth who printed multiple copies of himself to carry out grisly murders—with the resigned, wary tone of an office worker.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The goat had a resigned look in her eyes as the rancher pressed her udder and aimed a stream of milk into a tall cup.
    Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Chris is young and eager to impress; Duncan, who’s being reluctantly put out to pasture after this last mission, is jokey and irreverent (not a stretch for Harrelson); and Dave is ultra-serious, conveying authority through his stolid demeanor.
    Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
  • Blink Twice nods at a tangle of different contemporary ailments: lifestyle fetishism, wellness hedonism, our obscene fealty to stolid tech bros and their untrammeled wealth.
    Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The audience reserved their loudest and longest applause for Anthony Carrigan, who just about steals the movie with his largely wordless performance as the Leopold’s long-suffering butler, Griff.
    Adam B. Vary, Variety, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Finally, The Lost Symbol’s Ashley Zukerman plays Belle’s husband, a man who comes across as long-suffering, willfully ignorant, and, frankly, a total dope.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The tone and point of view were lofty, sharp-eyed, seemingly impassive.
    Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
  • But the dynamic is unmistakable: one person fully covered, powerful, impassive; the other stripped down, silent, available.
    Jessie Candlin, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Stoic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stoic. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on stoic

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!