impassive

[im-pas-iv]

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adjective

not subject to suffering.

Origin of impassive

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

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

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

Synonyms for impassive

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1. emotionless, phlegmatic, stoical, indifferent, undisturbed, unperturbed. 2. tranquil, unruffled, composed. 4. unaffected; unflinching.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for impassive

reticent, matter-of-fact, serene, taciturn, emotionless, unruffled, stoic, unflappable, unemotional, stolid, placid, apathetic, callous, cold, cold-blooded, collected, composed, dispassionate, dry, hardened

Examples from the Web for impassive

Contemporary Examples of impassive

In each frame, Ai faces the camera, impassive and nearly immobile.
When Artists Attack—Themselves
Jessica Dawson
February 20, 2014
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

Historical Examples of impassive

When the Inspector took thought to look at her, she was as impassive as before.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
"Come along," said the impassive Stoliker, taking the handcuffs from his pocket.
In the Midst of Alarms
Robert Barr
Outwardly he maintained consistently a pose of impassive gullibility.
The Black Bag
Louis Joseph Vance
In the boat the man with the bailing can turned up an impassive countenance.
The Black Bag
Louis Joseph Vance
I looked at the impassive face of the spokesman with the wand.
The Room in the Dragon Volant
J. Sheridan LeFanu

British Dictionary definitions for impassive

impassive

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

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).