Definition of stolidnext
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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 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 The Roosevelt, a stolid 19 masonry floors, can’t compete in this new game. Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 25 Feb. 2026 Even Universal’s stolid Lew Wasserman was suddenly looking for buyers and firing existing staff. Peter Bart, Deadline, 18 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stolid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stolid
Adjective
  • Conversations with Chiarella helped Clausen nail down the technical elements of his performance, practicing disingenuous smiles and blank eyes.
    Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026
  • That word is presented as a row of blank squares.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • His determination and stoic unflappability were always the difference.
    Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 15 June 2026
  • Refs opted to disregard the blatant flagrant foul and the usually stoic Brunson erupted, chasing after the officials before turning on his heel in a fury and returning to the bench.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • Unlike the coolly impassive Pop artists, the Who weren’t afraid to get personal, or to let their art echo the anxious, kinky, maladjusted yammering in their own heads.
    Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026
  • Her face remained impassive even as tears formed and began to travel down her cheek.
    Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
Adjective
  • The 47-year-old, wearing a blue suit and blue tie, was expressionless as the charges against him were described.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 May 2026
  • The routine calls for this chic, almost expressionless vibe — very different from a typical K-pop performance.
    Billboard Korea, Billboard, 26 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The orbs disappeared quickly most of the time, but in one instance, the agents said an orb hovered motionless in the sky for several hours.
    Collin Binkley, Fortune, 15 June 2026
  • Multitudes fell down and lay motionless.
    Michael Luo, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • Here's what Steven Spielberg had to say about that enigmatic ending.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 13 June 2026
  • To say much more about the group, let alone what happens to Claire, would betray the story’s enigmatic nature.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • Detroit fire crews extinguished the fire at the vacant home, and no injuries were reported.
    Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 18 June 2026
  • Like so many other places in regional Britain, its mines and mills have been replaced by retail and service industry jobs; its local stores now vape shops or vacant altogether.
    Alexander Smith, NBC news, 18 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stolid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stolid. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

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