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
  • Recent photos taken of the portion of the Kennedy Center still hidden by the tarp show the blank space where the sitting president’s name—which was added to the building in December of 2025—used to be.
    News Desk, Artforum, 26 June 2026
  • Floor-to-ceiling shelving can turn a blank wall into valuable storage, tall drapery panels can make even the most modest historic structure feel expansive, and oversized artwork can help the eye travel through a room in a way that feels immersive and intentional.
    Alyssa Longobucco, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • Instead, in much of popular culture, men often get messages encouraging them to be stoic and unemotional.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 21 June 2026
  • Your instinct may be to focus on logistics while avoiding your emotions… but unfortunately for you, this season is anything but stoic.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 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
  • Her bus got within 2 miles of the stadium after 25 minutes, and then sat motionless for 30 minutes at Raytown Road and Ozark Road intersection.
    Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
  • Hodges then fell to the ground and appeared motionless.
    John Lynch, Arkansas Online, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • After nearly dying in a battle, he is taken to a remote island, where an enigmatic woman (Jodie Comer) nurses him back to health.
    Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
  • Horn is still somewhat enigmatic, even as a second-year receiver.
    Mike Kaye June 17, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • For decades, the north campus had no resident population, remaining a collection of vacant deteriorating buildings and residential programs for physical and mental health recovery.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Then, seven years ago, Cohen snagged a rare vacant plot for sale—modest in scale, at roughly half an acre, but blessed with pristine ocean frontage and perfect for the family escape of his imagination.
    Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stolid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stolid. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

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