Synonyms of phlegmatic

phlegmatic

adjective

fleg-ˈma-tik 

as in stoic

not feeling or showing emotion

a strangely phlegmatic response to what should have been happy news

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stoic
• calm
• stolid
• unemotional
• impassive
• passionless
• undemonstrative
• apathetic
• emotionless
• bland
• enigmatic
• detached
• numb
• affectless
• impassible
• cold-blooded
• dry
• collected
• composed
• dispassionate
• cold
• imperturbable
• empty
• reserved
• unflappable
• taciturn
• unmoved
• wooden
• cool
• expressionless
• aloof
• inexpressive
• blank
• deadpan
• vacant
• reticent
• indifferent
• inscrutable
• unsentimental
• objective
• pitiless
• unconcerned
• impersonal
• unresponsive
• stone-faced
• bloodless
• thoughtless
• impenetrable
• unfeeling
• inconsiderate
• straight-faced
• hard-hearted
• insensible

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• emotional
• passionate
• impassioned
• fervent
• vehement
• demonstrative
• enthusiastic
• fervid
• passional
• fiery
• zealous
• ardent
• sentimental
• burning
• flaming
• red-hot
• hot-blooded
• sympathetic
• dramatic
• blazing
• glowing
• melodramatic
• mushy
• mawkish
• histrionic
• warm-blooded
• compassionate
• reactive
• sensitive
• responsive
• gung ho
• maudlin
• perfervid
• overemotional
• gushing
• overheated

Synonym Chooser

How is the word phlegmatic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of phlegmatic are apathetic, impassive, stoic, and stolid. While all these words mean "unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion," phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse.

a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

When is it sensible to use apathetic instead of phlegmatic?

Although the words apathetic and phlegmatic have much in common, apathetic may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness.

charitable appeals met an apathetic response

When would impassive be a good substitute for phlegmatic?

While in some cases nearly identical to phlegmatic, impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression.

met the news with an impassive look

When is stoic a more appropriate choice than phlegmatic?

The meanings of stoic and phlegmatic largely overlap; however, 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

Where would stolid be a reasonable alternative to phlegmatic?

The words stolid and phlegmatic can be used in similar contexts, but stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity.

stolid workers wedded to routine

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of phlegmatic

This phlegmatic response was a good summary of current U.S. policy: Washington favors Maduro’s downfall, but its position lacks clarity and is not backed by the actions—including military strikes inside Venezuela—that would bring about the outcome U.S. officials appear to want. — Elliott Abrams, Foreign Affairs, 20 Nov. 2025

Sante is phlegmatic when asked if Substack is doing anything strictly new. — Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 July 2025

Capper struck me as phlegmatic about the power of the supermarkets. — Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 4 May 2024

Enter, then, Penélope Cruz, the raging storm to Driver’s phlegmatic calm, and the ultimate heart of a film that sometimes prefers to keep it hidden. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Aug. 2023

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!