impassive

adjective

im·​pas·​sive (ˌ)im-ˈpa-siv How to pronounce impassive (audio)
1
: giving no sign of feeling or emotion : expressionless
2
a
: unsusceptible to or destitute of emotion : apathetic
b
: unsusceptible to physical feeling : insensible
c
archaic : unsusceptible to pain
impassively adverb
impassiveness noun
impassivity noun
Choose the Right Synonym for impassive

impassive, stoic, phlegmatic, apathetic, stolid 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

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

phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse.

a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

apathetic may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness.

charitable appeals met an apathetic response

stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity.

stolid workers wedded to routine

Examples of impassive in a Sentence

Her face remained impassive throughout the trial. she remained impassive as the officers informed her of her son's death
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Navigating the new era of AI innovation While Keith Davidson faces ongoing questioning, former president Donald Trump is largely an impassive figure in... Washington Post, 25 May 2024 Our first Killarney run combined the fervent greenness of the previous day with the impassive steepness of our earlier outings. Alexandra Kleeman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2024 The first 18-plus of its 22 seasons were led by Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the impassive Special Agent in Charge and boss extraordinaire who liked to build boats in his basement in his spare time. Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2024 The carved, impassive face that suddenly droops, drags, goes baggy with the weight of being alive. James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for impassive 

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2c

Time Traveler
The first known use of impassive was in 1605

Dictionary Entries Near impassive

Cite this Entry

“Impassive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impassive. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

impassive

adjective
im·​pas·​sive (ˈ)im-ˈpas-iv How to pronounce impassive (audio)
: not feeling or not showing emotion
impassively adverb
impassivity noun

More from Merriam-Webster on impassive

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