variants or stoical
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word stoic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of stoic are apathetic, impassive, phlegmatic, and stolid. While all these words mean "unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion," 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 is it sensible to use apathetic instead of stoic?

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

charitable appeals met an apathetic response

When could impassive be used to replace stoic?

The words impassive and stoic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression.

met the news with an impassive look

When can phlegmatic be used instead of stoic?

While in some cases nearly identical to stoic, phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse.

a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

When would stolid be a good substitute for stoic?

While the synonyms stolid and stoic are close in meaning, stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity.

stolid workers wedded to routine

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 stoic Carthen highlights that her stoic disposition was also a means of self-preservation. Essence, 26 Aug. 2025 That classical setting was a fitting way to remember the stoic Sandberg, whose name is forever etched into the city’s history as an iconic figure for the Chicago Cubs. Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025 Farmers are resilient, stoic, and pragmatic. Beth Ford, Time, 20 Aug. 2025 The Balkan Mountains rise with stoic grace—sheltering cliffside monasteries like Rila, winding shepherd trails, and forests steeped in Slavic myth. Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stoic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stoic
Adjective
  • Be patient and calm, Work zones are not there to inconvenience you.
    Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Newsweek has created a map showing which hospitals have the highest patient revenue per capita, after new analysis by a personal injury firm.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Having weathered so many punches heretofore, the viewer is more likely to be numb than moved.
    Derek Robertson, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
  • During Covid, the world felt numb and dystopian.
    Kim Gordon, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The story of children financially supporting their immigrant parents can feed into the myth of the Asian American model minority, which, in part, stereotypes Asian Americans as obedient, hard-working and uncomplaining.
    Mike Dang, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2023
  • Queen Elizabeth II was formal, interested, uncomplaining, and always respectful.
    Caitlin Flanagan, The Atlantic, 12 Nov. 2022
Adjective
  • Hill stayed calm, recovering from the blunder and finding an open lane for an 80-yard touchdown.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
  • All of these things can soften poop and move it through your system more smoothly—which helps keep those nearby blood vessels calm and cool.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Just 14 yards on resigned run plays were, however, according to Pro Football Focus.
    Oliver Thomas, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • As new members have replaced the resigned ones, the board has ramped up focus on policies around LGBTQ+ students, dress codes and health curriculum.
    Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • But the drama can be very stolid, borderline dull at times.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
  • Michelle DeYoung was a somewhat stolid Herodias, Piotr Buszewski a fiercely ardent Narraboth.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Sedaris will play Laurel Hammond-Muntz, the headstrong and devoted head writer and executive producer of the popular late-night talk show Way Late. Richter as Mickey Muntz, the hilarious but long-suffering sidekick to Scotty Bristol (Stephen Colbert), the host of Way Late.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Wendell Pierce was a veteran in the industry before landing the role of Bunk, homicide detective and long-suffering partner to McNulty.
    Derek Lawrence, EW.com, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • She is described, variously, as quirky, impassive, naive, vulgar, blithely optimistic.
    Judy Berman, Time, 20 Aug. 2025
  • Schuyler was impassive and outwardly calm, but in his very calm projected a certain vulnerability.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stoic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stoic. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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