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• Stoicism
  Stoicism

  noun

  a systematic philosophy, dating from around 300 b.c., that held the principles of logical thought to reflect a cosmic reason instantiated in nature.
• stoicism
  stoicism

  noun

  indifference to pleasure and pain

Stoicism

American  

[stoh-uh-siz-uhm] / ˈstoʊ əˌsɪz əm /

noun

1. a systematic philosophy, dating from around 300 b.c., that held the principles of logical thought to reflect a cosmic reason instantiated in nature.

2. (lowercase) conduct conforming to the precepts of the Stoics, as repression of emotion and indifference to pleasure or pain.

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stoicism British  

/ ˈstəʊɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. indifference to pleasure and pain

2. (capital) the philosophy of the Stoics

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Stoicism Cultural  

1. A philosophy that flourished in ancient Greece and Rome. Stoics believed that people should strictly restrain their emotions in order to attain happiness and wisdom; hence, they refused to demonstrate either joy or sorrow.

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Synonym Usage

See patience.

Etymology

Origin of Stoicism

First recorded in 1620–30; Stoic + -ism

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Explanation

If you rarely show emotion or feeling, that’s stoicism. Your stoicism helps you endure physical or emotional discomfort without complaint, a helpful trait for long car trips with annoying people. The noun stoicism, pronounced "STOW-ih-siz-um," comes from Stoicism, the ancient Greek philosophical school, which taught that reason could overcome destructive emotions for a more virtuous life. Having great control over one’s emotions and responding calmly to misfortune are the marks of stoicism. If you take the good and the bad in stride without drama of any kind, your stoicism is admirable.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Stoicism stoicism

It might be her most personal yet, finding inspiration in a philosophy she uses to sustain her spirit: Stoicism.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 30, 2026

The philosophic movements that emerged soon after Diogenes’ time, Stoicism and Epicureanism, aimed to help adherents overcome the fear of death.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 17, 2025

He urged Bhogal to schedule group video calls to discuss rationalism, Stoicism and effective altruism.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 14, 2024

Stoicism encourages people to be true to themselves and not simply give in to normativity, to mainstream social expectations.

From Salon ● Jan. 30, 2024

With the Renaissance revival of Stoicism the word ‘philosophical’ acquired a new meaning: philosophers, it was held, were able to moderate their passions and to be unmoved by the blows of fortune.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

However, stocks’ stoicism faces another test: the U.S. midterm elections.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 3, 2026

While Metcalf’s Linda adopts a facade of stoicism to shield her family from the grief erupting in her, Abbott’s Biff is forced to reveal the broken man behind the defiant veneer.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2026

That freedom extends to her personal life, which she views with typical stoicism.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 30, 2026

Unflattering returns but Bashir's stoicism has ensured he's not been overly affected by the noise surrounding his non-selection.

From BBC ● Dec. 24, 2025

Shin remembers that when one of his classmates, Byun Soon Ho, complained about a fever and feeling unwell, a guard gave him a lesson in the benefits of stoicism.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden

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