Synonyms of impassive

impassive

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpa-siv 

1

as in stoic

not feeling or showing emotion

she remained impassive as the officers informed her of her son's death

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stoic
• calm
• emotionless
• unemotional
• passionless
• stolid
• phlegmatic
• numb
• undemonstrative
• bland
• enigmatic
• apathetic
• impassible
• affectless
• detached
• empty
• unmoved
• cold-blooded
• dry
• dispassionate
• expressionless
• collected
• imperturbable
• cold
• composed
• reserved
• unflappable
• inexpressive
• blank
• taciturn
• wooden
• aloof
• inscrutable
• deadpan
• cool
• vacant
• indifferent
• unconcerned
• impersonal
• pitiless
• stone-faced
• unresponsive
• unsentimental
• objective
• reticent
• impenetrable
• unfeeling
• bloodless
• thoughtless
• inconsiderate
• straight-faced
• insensible
• hard-hearted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• emotional
• impassioned
• passionate
• fervent
• vehement
• demonstrative
• fervid
• enthusiastic
• passional
• fiery
• ardent
• zealous
• burning
• red-hot
• flaming
• glowing
• sentimental
• sympathetic
• blazing
• dramatic
• hot-blooded
• mushy
• mawkish
• melodramatic
• compassionate
• responsive
• histrionic
• reactive
• sensitive
• warm-blooded
• gung ho
• maudlin
• perfervid
• gushing
• overemotional
• overheated

2

as in blank

not expressing any emotion

an impassive expression on the prisoner's face as his sentence was read

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blank
• expressionless
• motionless
• enigmatic
• stolid
• empty
• vacant
• catatonic
• inexpressive
• numb
• dull
• vague
• deadpan
• restrained
• detached
• mysterious
• inscrutable
• wooden
• static
• vacuous
• aloof
• impenetrable
• cold
• reserved
• indifferent
• vapid
• still
• phlegmatic
• cool
• apathetic
• unresponsive
• taciturn
• reticent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expressive
• engaged
• demonstrative
• active
• interested
• responsive
• dynamic
• energetic
• alive
• busy
• exuberant
• bright
• expansive
• vivacious
• effervescent
• eloquent
• animated
• lively
• revealing
• emotional
• revelatory
• gestural
• theatrical
• melodramatic
• unrestrained
• unreserved
• gestic
• gesticulative
• gesticulatory
• gesticulant

Synonym Chooser

How is the word impassive distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of impassive are apathetic, phlegmatic, stoic, and stolid. While all these words mean "unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion," impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression.

met the news with an impassive look

When is apathetic a more appropriate choice than impassive?

The synonyms apathetic and impassive are sometimes interchangeable, but apathetic may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness.

charitable appeals met an apathetic response

When is it sensible to use phlegmatic instead of impassive?

Although the words phlegmatic and impassive have much in common, phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse.

a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

Where would stoic be a reasonable alternative to impassive?

The words stoic and impassive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stoic implies an apparent indifference to pleasure or especially to pain often as a matter of principle or self-discipline.

was resolutely stoic even in adversity

When could stolid be used to replace impassive?

The words stolid and impassive can be used in similar contexts, but stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity.

stolid workers wedded to routine

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of impassive

Dressed in a blue sweatshirt and surrounded by court officers, Henderson remained impassive. — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026

Despite his impassive eyes, balding pate, and slit of a smile, Robert Duvall could be volcanic and melancholic, mysterious and straightforward, vengeful and merciful. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026

His face was impassive, his sunglasses up, arms churning through the last of the midafternoon light. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026

Crucially, Depardon and his impassive camera refuse to pass judgment, letting the subjects—among society’s most vulnerable and marginalized—speak for themselves. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026