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

• affectless
• apathetic
• cold-blooded
• emotionless
• impassible
• numb
• passionless
• phlegmatic
• stoic
• stoical
• stolid
• undemonstrative
• unemotional

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

The tone and point of view were lofty, sharp-eyed, seemingly impassive. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

Farewell to the impassive, agile grapplers, and to the whiplash pleasure of a badminton rally. —Maya Singer, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025

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

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