impassive

adjective

im·​pas·​sive (ˌ)im-ˈpa-siv 

1

: giving no sign of feeling or emotion : expressionless

2

a

: unsusceptible to or destitute of emotion : apathetic

b

: unsusceptible to physical feeling : insensible

c

archaic : unsusceptible to pain

impassively adverb

impassiveness noun

impassivity

ˌim-ˌpa-ˈsi-və-tē 

noun

Synonyms

• stoic

Choose the Right Synonym for impassive

impassive, stoic, phlegmatic, apathetic, stolid 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

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

phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse.

a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

apathetic may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness.

charitable appeals met an apathetic response

stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity.

stolid workers wedded to routine

Examples of impassive in a Sentence

Her face remained impassive throughout the trial.

she remained impassive as the officers informed her of her son's death

Recent Examples on the Web

Their faces were impassive, but their eyes had lids and lashes that blinked. —Jhumpa Lahiri, New Yorker, 30 June 2025

Williams, looking scruffy in tan prison scrubs, was impassive throughout the proceedings — glancing back at his family only once before being led away. —Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 12 June 2025

Whether from the return of fasting or sheer exhaustion, players may become impassive. —Jason Anthony, The Atlantic, 14 June 2025

What To Know Several reporters tried to question Balmer as he was led out of the courthouse, but the suspect remained silent, only breaking his impassive stare by rolling his eyes upward into the back of his head and pushing out his tongue to cover his chin. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2c

Rhymes for impassive

• massive
• passive

Kids Definition

impassive

adjective

im·​pas·​sive (ˈ)im-ˈpas-iv 

: not feeling or not showing emotion

impassively adverb

impassivity

ˌim-ˌpas-ˈiv-ət-ē 

noun