impassive
Americanadjective
-
without emotion; apathetic; unmoved.
- Synonyms:
- unperturbed, undisturbed, indifferent, stoical, phlegmatic, emotionless
-
calm; serene.
-
unconscious; insensible.
-
not subject to suffering.
- Synonyms:
- unflinching, unaffected
adjective
-
not revealing or affected by emotion; reserved
-
calm; serene; imperturbable
-
rare unconscious or insensible
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of impassive
Explanation
Someone who doesn't seem to react — who is always "taking a pass" in the conversation of life can be described as impassive. Impassive is tricky, as it sounds it should be the opposite of passive. It's not, though. The fact is you can be passive and impassive at the same time. When a passive person gets passed over for a promotion at work, their face might remain impassive upon hearing the news.
Vocabulary lists containing impassive
Number the Stars
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List 7
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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 20–25
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He was, according to BBC courts producer Neil Henderson, "impassive" during the evidence stages in this month's trial.
From BBC • Nov. 20, 2025
Someone on the panel of three impassive strangers stopped me every time I made a mistake and asked me to start again.
From BBC • Oct. 12, 2025
Mr. Xi was impassive, but his wife, Peng Liyuan, smiled broadly and applauded.
From New York Times • May 7, 2024
“The building, 728 feet long, 282 feet wide, six stories high, presents an impassive façade to the world with its rather bland curtain wall of glass and aluminum.”
From Seattle Times • Jul. 11, 2023
All this was said without drama, as if to herself, her voice slow and impassive.
From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
