stoicism

noun sto·i·cism \ ˈstō-ə-ˌsi-zəm \

Updated on: 23 May 2018

Definition of stoicism

1 capitalized : the philosophy of the Stoics

2 : indifference to pleasure or pain : impassiveness

See stoicism defined for English-language learners

Examples of stoicism in a Sentence

She endured his criticism with her usual stoicism.

Recent Examples of stoicism from the Web

Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill seems to exude a stoicism that comes from devoting 35 years to the NHL (9 as a player, roughly 26 as a scout and executive).

— peter dawson, star-telegram, "Will Stars use late-season collapse as motivation or try to forget it ever happened? | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 7 May 2018
After the room took three collective breaths, Ms. Sumner and Ms. Topacio discussed learning to be a leader, how to ask for funding, and the balance between corporate stoicism and freewheeling emotion.

— sheila marikar, New York Times, "Come on Over to My Place, Sister Girlfriend, and We’ll Co-Work," 9 Jan. 2018
The assumption that one is innocent until proven guilty, the importance of stoicism in adversity, and the need for objectivity in reckoning with life’s larger questions.

— paula marantz cohen, WSJ, "It’s the Era of Feelings, and Not Necessarily Good Ones," 4 May 2018
Yes, but don’t cry.’’ In Churchill’s bleak and unsparing vision, life is a relentless battle, requiring stoicism, and a jigsaw puzzle, requiring guile.

— don aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, "A top-notch ‘Top Girls’ at the Huntington," 26 Apr. 2018
Even then, his stoicism was a perfect front for one of the most reticent organizations in sports.

— rob mahoney, SI.com, "The Divide Between Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs," 16 Apr. 2018
Last month, The New Yorker published an op-ed drawing parallels between Joan and Emma, stemming in large part from Emma’s powerful stoicism at the March for Our Lives.

— najma sharif, Teen Vogue, "Emma González Responded to Joan of Arc Comparisons," 16 Apr. 2018
In person the two share a warm mutual admiration from the nearly three-month Atlanta shoot last year, and Viswanathan's ebullience softens Cena's more serious-leaning stoicism.

— jen yamato, latimes.com, "How 'Blockers' dad John Cena and his on-screen daughter Geraldine Viswanathan became this year's comedy breakouts," 30 Mar. 2018
In her new book, Dear Madam President: An Open Letter to the Women Who Will Run the World, out March 27, Palmieri describes how Clinton and her team survived one of the most vicious elections in American history with grit and stoicism.

— sam gillette, PEOPLE.com, "Highest-Ranking Woman on Clinton Campaign Has Advice for First Female POTUS: 'Nod Less, Cry More'," 22 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stoicism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of stoicism

1626

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Other Philosophy Terms

dialectic, dualism, epistemology, existentialism, metaphysics, ontology, sequitur, solipsism, transcendentalism

STOICISM Defined for English Language Learners

stoicism

noun

Definition of stoicism for English Language Learners

: the quality or behavior of a person who accepts what happens without complaining or showing emotion

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See words that rhyme with stoicism Spanish Central: Translation of stoicism Nglish: Translation of stoicism for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stoicism

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stoicism

Definition of stoicism

Examples of stoicism in a Sentence

Recent Examples of stoicism from the Web

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STOICISM Defined for English Language Learners

stoicism

Definition of stoicism for English Language Learners

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