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
  • Our reviews are impartial and our opinions are our own.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Guterres also announced that nominations were now open for candidates to join the new International Independent Scientific Panel on AI, designed to provide impartial scientific evidence on the impacts of the technology.
    Andrew R. Chow, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • How can hospitals, clinics and health care workers make sure that breastfeeding support is available to everyone and is equitable?
    Ann Kellams, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Last season, with a more equitable split, Theodore kept up the same level of performance and production.
    The Athletic NHL, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • And will that move just equal deck chairs on the Titanic?
    Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Many products claim to fade wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots, but claims don’t always equal results.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dispassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispassionate. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on dispassionate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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