Synonyms of stolid

stolid

adjective

ˈstä-ləd 

1

as in blank

not expressing any emotion

the butler responded to the duchess's constant demands with stolid indifference

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in stoic

not feeling or showing emotion

the actor's turn as a stolid, impersonal bureaucrat was an interesting departure from his more impassioned roles

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word stolid distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of stolid are apathetic, impassive, phlegmatic, and stoic. While all these words mean "unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion," stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity.

stolid workers wedded to routine

In what contexts can apathetic take the place of stolid?

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

charitable appeals met an apathetic response

When would impassive be a good substitute for stolid?

While in some cases nearly identical to stolid, impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression.

met the news with an impassive look

When could phlegmatic be used to replace stolid?

While the synonyms phlegmatic and stolid are close in meaning, phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse.

a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

Where would stoic be a reasonable alternative to stolid?

The meanings of stoic and stolid largely overlap; however, 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stolid

Kinlaw remained stolid throughout most of the public comment period and did not address calls for his resignation. — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026

At the outset, Martin (William Giammona) is as stolid as a piece of furniture, standing stock still at center stage, the black rectangle through which the other actors enter and exit like a deep void behind him. — Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026

During Saturn and Pluto’s sextile, your cautious 8th house and your stolid 6th house combine delicate topics with practical know-how. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 2026

In the Afrikaans world of my childhood, dancing often meant the stolid vastrap (tight-step), the terrible langarm (long-arm, a two-step that desperately wants to be a one-step), or, worst of all, volkspele (national or popular games), compulsory in Afrikaans-medium state-run schools. — Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026

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