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 In the November pogrom, the antisemitisms of reason and emotion, of dispassionate law and thuggish violence, were brought into alignment for Hitler. Michael Scott Bryant, The Conversation, 2 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for dispassionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispassionate
Adjective
  • Our reviews are impartial and our opinions are our own.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • To advocate for and support policies that ensure a healthy, safe, equitable and respectful learning environment, as well as a sense of belonging for each student in our school community.
    Pioneer Press elections team, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Ensure equitable pay at the moment decisions are made.
    Katica Roy, Fortune, 15 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dispassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispassionate. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dispassionate

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!