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 In precise, dispassionate prose, Tsushima evokes complex emotions—longing, grief, loneliness. Katie Kitamura, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025 For a whirlwind romance, Too Much feels awfully dispassionate. Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025 However, a dispassionate parting doesn’t suit characters who have often worked so hard just to display any feelings at all. Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 7 July 2025 The challenge for both author and museum was telling a rich wartime story without reducing it to the dispassionate details of a military reenactment. Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dispassionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispassionate
Adjective
  • In a supporting document filed by Kalshi in the Nevada case in April, Kalshi head of markets Xavier Sottile noted how ErisX, a predecessor to the current sports prediction market craze, previously butted up against the impartial access issue.
    Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Such changes do more than convey impartial information.
    Stephanie A, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Their partnership with TalentAlly includes building a job board that highlights employers committed to equitable hiring.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The couple was honored by the nonprofit for their efforts to build a safer, more equitable online world for families and youth, in addition to their contributions to advance mental well-being worldwide.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The bank upgraded the wafer fab equipment maker to overweight from equal weight and hiked its price target to $1,200 from $750.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025
  • In 1918, Soviet women were given the right to higher education, equal pay, no-fault civil divorce, child support (including for children born out of wedlock), paid maternity leave, and access to free maternity hospitals.
    Julia Ioffe, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dispassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispassionate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dispassionate

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