impassive

adjective

im·​pas·​sive (ˌ)im-ˈpa-siv How to pronounce impassive (audio)
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 noun
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
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.
Blount, who appeared wearing a white button-down shirt and tie, his hands shackled in front of him, his bulging gut and beige tie spilling over his beige pants, appeared impassive and refused to meet his victim’s gaze as Rothschild addressed him personally. Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 10 July 2025 Director and screenwriter Brian Koppelman returns as the wonderfully impassive numbers man to Uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt), a guy everyone simply refers to as Computer. Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for impassive

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2c

Time Traveler
The first known use of impassive was in 1605

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impassive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impassive. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

impassive

adjective
im·​pas·​sive (ˈ)im-ˈpas-iv How to pronounce impassive (audio)
: not feeling or not showing emotion
impassively adverb
impassivity noun

More from Merriam-Webster on impassive

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!