Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dispassionate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dispassionate are equitable, fair, impartial, just, objective, and unbiased. While all these words mean "free from favor toward either or any side," dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment.

a dispassionate summation of the facts

How are the words equitable and just related as synonyms of dispassionate?

Equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned.

the equitable distribution of the property

When is it sensible to use fair instead of dispassionate?

The words fair and dispassionate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests.

a fair decision

When could impartial be used to replace dispassionate?

The meanings of impartial and dispassionate largely overlap; however, impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice.

an impartial third party

Where would just be a reasonable alternative to dispassionate?

In some situations, the words just and dispassionate are roughly equivalent. However, just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper.

a just settlement of territorial claims

When is objective a more appropriate choice than dispassionate?

While in some cases nearly identical to dispassionate, objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings.

I can't be objective about my own child

When would unbiased be a good substitute for dispassionate?

While the synonyms unbiased and dispassionate are close in meaning, unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice.

your unbiased opinion

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of dispassionate Until then, Fraga believed the role of a scientist was to identify and describe, to remain dispassionate. Meg Bernhard, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025 The man, no, the boy that 3,000 people had crammed inside London’s Alexandra Palace to see produce history, plus millions more watching at home and in pubs around the UK and the world, was doing it not just with dispassionate ease, or with flamboyant style, but with disdainful relish. Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025 No doubt, there is warmth, sentiment, even yearning, in it, but there is also dispassionate observation. Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024 Writers’ obsessions can illuminate their subjects in ways that more dispassionate approaches can’t. Isaac Butler, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for dispassionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispassionate
Adjective
  • India blamed Pakistan for backing the attackers, while Islamabad denied involvement and called for an impartial international investigation.
    Zia ur-Rehman, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • They were asked to fill out questionnaires gauging their familiarity with the case and ability to be fair and impartial.
    Mark Prussin, CBS News, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • However, experts agree this is one step closer to a more equitable and accessible approach to Alzheimer’s care.
    Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 21 May 2025
  • In the first few years, the unequal access to vaccines was one of the biggest challenges, with one study finding that up to half the COVID-19 deaths in many lower income countries could have been avoided with a more equitable supply of vaccines.
    Simon Williams, Time, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • At the center is Cooper’s staggering performance, which is enraging, emotional, horrifying, and heartbreaking in equal measure.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 29 May 2025
  • Hoka has long been my go-to for sneakers that are equal parts supportive and stylish, and now one of the brand’s best-sellers, the Hoka Clifton 9 sneakers, are up to 35 percent off at Zappos in nine colorways.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 28 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dispassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispassionate. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dispassionate

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