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 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 Policymakers need unbiased and dispassionate analysis from the intelligence community, which in turn has to appreciate and respond to their interests and needs. Paul B. Stares, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2020 The unscripted space could fairly explore this subject, because documentaries can easily tackle a subject with a cold and dispassionate light. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for dispassionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispassionate
Adjective
  • My administration has acted swiftly and decisively to restore fair, equal and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law.
    CBS News, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2025
  • My administration has acted swiftly and decisively to restore fair, equal and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law starting at the FBI and the DOJ.
    NPR, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In an ideal future scenario, the diversity of architects will reflect the communities that are being served (namely all communities), and the future of design will be dynamic, flexible, regenerative, sustainable, equitable and artful.
    Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2025
  • Get to know the stories and acknowledge them at face value in an equitable way.
    Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • As of last May, filings with the state of Texas indicated that 78% of CFP Administration LLC’s ownership was held in equal 15.6% shares by the Big Ten, ACC, SEC, Big 12 and Pac-12.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • That is: when revenues (the top line) fluctuate, all other things held equal, Delta's earnings should not swing as widely as American's due to lower operating leverage.
    GuruFocus, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dispassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispassionate. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dispassionate

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