STOLID Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

stolid

adjective

ˈstä-ləd

Definition of stolid

as in blank

not expressing any emotion the butler responded to the duchess's constant demands with stolid indifference

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 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 See All Example Sentences for stolid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stolid

Adjective

Although the primary palette used in its design is black and white, the logo is a blank canvas that frequently gets represented in different colors or patterns to match trending London conversations or events, much like Google Doodles.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 July 2026
Ying’s Brentwood hotel room was searched by law enforcement officers, who found that blank manuscripts that were in the style of those missing from UCLA, prosecutors said.

— Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

Definition of blank

Adjective

Her unvarnished, heartsore turn as a woman unprepared to be the face of a movement, but shouldering that responsibility anyway, gives this otherwise stoic affair a nervy, sensitive spine.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 July 2026
But the action is nullified by the fact that Ono assumes the stoic posture of the Buddhist monks seen in the news at the time setting themselves aflame in protest of the Vietnam War.

— Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

Definition of stoic

Adjective

Lancelot, noticeably weary, impassive, and preoccupied atop an equally weary black horse, follows the sorcerer, while Merlin leads him up the path into the realm of shadows, out of the frame to the left.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026
Riles’s face is impassive, focused, as the announcer reads out the winner.

— Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026

Definition of impassive

Adjective

Nearly 27 years ago, Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin laid motionless on the concrete jungle surface of Veterans Stadium for the last time.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026
On a recent afternoon outside the temple in central Kerala, Raman stood motionless as two children played, giggling and hugging its trunk.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026

Definition of motionless

Adjective

The enigmatic, unique Haaland returns to Manchester City in the Premier League under a new manager in a new era, with Enzo Maresca taking over from Pep Guardiola, who managed the team for 10 years and won six Premier League titles.

— Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 July 2026
The Hunt for Gollum is a standalone feature centered on the enigmatic titular character, portrayed by Serkis in Jackson’s Oscar-winning film trilogy.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 July 2026

Definition of enigmatic

Adjective

The historic Art Deco shops fronting the new hotel along Washington that its developers were obligated to renovate remain fully vacant.

— Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
There’s the new buildings such as Queensbridge Collective or 110 East in South End, which is about 5% vacant.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026

Definition of vacant

Browse Nearby Words

stoles

stolid

stolidity

See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stolid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stolid. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of stolid

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on stolid

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

itinerant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes