impassive

[ im-pas-iv ]

/ ɪmˈpæs ɪv /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR impassive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

without emotion; apathetic; unmoved.

calm; serene.

unconscious; insensible.

not subject to suffering.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

impassible, impassion, impassionate, impassionately, impassioned, impassive, impassivity, impaste, impasto, impatent, impatience

Origin of impassive

First recorded in 1660–70; im-² + passive

SYNONYMS FOR impassive

1 emotionless, phlegmatic, stoical, indifferent, undisturbed, unperturbed.

2 tranquil, unruffled, composed.

4 unaffected; unflinching.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR impassive ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsim·pas·sive·ly, adverbim·pas·sive·ness, im·pas·siv·i·ty

[im-pa-siv-i-tee] /ˌɪm pæˈsɪv ɪ ti/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for impassive

In each frame, Ai faces the camera, impassive and nearly immobile.
When Artists Attack—Themselves|Jessica Dawson|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The high schoolers in the room are impassive, but the fathers give thoughtful frown-nods.
The Great College Road Trip|Nick Summers|April 8, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Faxon, looking over Mr. Grisben at John Lavington, saw a faint frown between his impassive eyes.
The Triumph Of Night|Edith Wharton
His intelligent eyes were glazed and far away, only the impassive, hairless face remained, with little or no soul to brighten it.
The Serf|Guy Thorne

Valenglay remained silent and impassive, with at most a slight shiver passing across his shoulders.
The Golden Triangle|Maurice Leblanc
When he turns again to say a last word she is standing where he last saw her, pale and impassive as a statue.
April's Lady|Margaret Wolfe Hungerford
He stepped deliberately across the body, his face inflamed, and stood to beard the impassive dalal.
The Sea-Hawk|Raphael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for impassive

impassive

/ (ɪmˈpæsɪv) /

adjective

not revealing or affected by emotion; reserved

calm; serene; imperturbable

rare unconscious or insensible

Derived Formsimpassively, adverbimpassiveness or impassivity (ˌɪmpæˈsɪvɪtɪ), noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for impassive

impassive

adj.

1660s, "not feeling pain," from assimilated form of in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + passive. Meaning "void of emotions" is from 1690s. Related: Impassively; impassiveness (1640s).