Synonyms of impassive

impassive

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpa-siv 

1

as in stoic

not feeling or showing emotion

she remained impassive as the officers informed her of her son's death

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in blank

not expressing any emotion

an impassive expression on the prisoner's face as his sentence was read

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word impassive distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of impassive are apathetic, phlegmatic, stoic, and stolid. While all these words mean "unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion," impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression.

met the news with an impassive look

When is apathetic a more appropriate choice than impassive?

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

charitable appeals met an apathetic response

When is it sensible to use phlegmatic instead of impassive?

Although the words phlegmatic and impassive have much in common, phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse.

a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

Where would stoic be a reasonable alternative to impassive?

The words stoic and impassive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 could stolid be used to replace impassive?

The words stolid and impassive can be used in similar contexts, but stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity.

stolid workers wedded to routine

Examples of impassive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In some ways, Restrepo and Armadillo are the Groundhog Day of the Afghan war, in which life repeats anew every morning: platoons venture out on patrol, attempt to talk to impassive villagers, are occasionally fired on, shoot back, and then return to base, day after day. —Bing West, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2011

Achieving a delicate balance between drama and deadpan comedy, Guan’s approach gives the scenes of violence or tragedy a certain antic, Buster Keaton quality, which is enhanced by both Peng’s impassive yet physically expressive performance, and that of his wonderful canine co-star. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 21 May 2024

Chardy’s performance, still but never impassive, is marked by any number of itchy sore points that Shula is wearily at pains not to scratch. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 May 2024

Gladstone’s Cam conceals a lifetime’s worth of anger—about her own upbringing, about her perennial outsider status—beneath an impassive exterior. —Judy Berman, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024