impassive
adjective
im·pas·sive (ˌ)im-ˈpa-siv 
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
ˌim-ˌpa-ˈsi-və-tē
noun 
Synonyms
- affectless
- apathetic
- cold-blooded
- emotionless
- impassible
- numb
- passionless
- phlegmatic
- stoic
- stoical
- stolid
- undemonstrative
- unemotional
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Najib was impassive when the verdict was read out and his wife and two children immediately went to his side in the court. 
Philip J. Heijmans, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2022 Her voice, as impassive as her face, conveys the numb disbelief of the brokenhearted. Martin Kuz, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Aug. 2022 In shows like The Lone Ranger and Gunsmoke, Indians were stoic, comically impassive, sphynxlike. David Treuer, The Atlantic, 1 Aug. 2022 This makes for a series of pratfalls and obscenities, with the impassive Patrick just kind of standing there, seemingly bemused. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 19 July 2022 The faces in the crowd appear impassive despite the fact that God’s living mouthpiece will soon address them. Cassady Rosenblum, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2022 Which is why, at Al Wathba, visitors are now being kept some distance from the dunes, although still close enough to appreciate their impassive beauty. Barry Neild, CNN, 23 June 2022 Far from an impassive observer, Parks wanted his photographs to convey meaning and help improve the lives of his subjects, many of whom were discriminated against because of their race. Chadd Scott, Forbes, 8 June 2022 In contrast the features of his white subjects tend be impassive and undifferentiated when they are seen at all. Roberta Smith, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2022 See More
Philip J. Heijmans, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2022 Her voice, as impassive as her face, conveys the numb disbelief of the brokenhearted. Martin Kuz, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Aug. 2022 In shows like The Lone Ranger and Gunsmoke, Indians were stoic, comically impassive, sphynxlike. David Treuer, The Atlantic, 1 Aug. 2022 This makes for a series of pratfalls and obscenities, with the impassive Patrick just kind of standing there, seemingly bemused. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 19 July 2022 The faces in the crowd appear impassive despite the fact that God’s living mouthpiece will soon address them. Cassady Rosenblum, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2022 Which is why, at Al Wathba, visitors are now being kept some distance from the dunes, although still close enough to appreciate their impassive beauty. Barry Neild, CNN, 23 June 2022 Far from an impassive observer, Parks wanted his photographs to convey meaning and help improve the lives of his subjects, many of whom were discriminated against because of their race. Chadd Scott, Forbes, 8 June 2022 In contrast the features of his white subjects tend be impassive and undifferentiated when they are seen at all. Roberta Smith, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1605, in the meaning defined at sense 2c
Kids Definition
impassive
adjective
im·pas·sive im-ˈpa-siv
: not feeling or showing emotion
an impassive face
impassive
adjective
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
Relevance
- stoic
- emotionless
- calm
- unemotional
- stolid
- passionless
- phlegmatic
- undemonstrative
- bland
- affectless
- apathetic
- enigmatic
- impassible
- stoical
- detached
- numb
- enigmatical
- unmoved
- expressionless
- empty
- dry
- reserved
- dispassionate
- imperturbable
- cold
- taciturn
- unflappable
- inexpressive
- collected
- aloof
- composed
- blank
- cold-blooded
- inscrutable
- wooden
- deadpan
- cool
- indifferent
- unconcerned
- pitiless
- impersonal
- stone-faced
- unsentimental
- unresponsive
- objective
- vacant
- reticent
- unfeeling
- impenetrable
- bloodless
- thoughtless
- straight-faced
- inconsiderate
- insensible
- hard-hearted
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- impassioned
- emotional
- passionate
- vehement
- demonstrative
- fervent
- fervid
- passional
- enthusiastic
- fiery
- ardent
- zealous
- sympathetic
- glowing
- sentimental
- burning
- blazing
- flaming
- hot-blooded
- dramatic
- compassionate
- mawkish
- mushy
- melodramatic
- maudlin
- gung ho
- histrionic
- responsive
- perfervid
- reactive
- sensitive
- overemotional
- overheated
- warm-blooded
- gushing
- red-hot
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
- inexpressive
- motionless
- stolid
- enigmatic
- deadpan
- catatonic
- empty
- enigmatical
- vacant
- numb
- dull
- restrained
- vague
- detached
- inscrutable
- mysterious
- taciturn
- aloof
- static
- vacuous
- vapid
- wooden
- impenetrable
- phlegmatic
- reserved
- indifferent
- apathetic
- still
- cold
- unresponsive
- cool
- reticent
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- expressive
- demonstrative
- engaged
- active
- responsive
- dynamic
- energetic
- exuberant
- vivacious
- interested
- alive
- eloquent
- effervescent
- bright
- expansive
- busy
- animated
- lively
- revealing
- emotional
- revelatory
- gestural
- melodramatic
- unrestrained
- theatrical
- unreserved
- gestic
- theatric
- gesticulative
- gesticulatory
- gesticulant
Synonym Chooser
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
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
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
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
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
- anti-academic
- anti-acne
- anti-administration
- anti-ager
- anti-agers
- anti-aggression
- anti-AIDS
- anti-alcohol
- anti-alcoholism
- anti-aliasing
- anti-alien
- anti-allergenic
- anti-allergic
- anti-allergy
- anti-American
- anti-americanism
- anti-androgen
- anti-androgenic
- anti-androgens
- anti-anemia
- anti-apartheid
- anti-aphrodisiac
- anti-Arab
- anti-aristocratic
- anti-armor