impassive

[ im-pas-iv ]

See synonyms for: impassive impassively impassiveness impassivity on Thesaurus.com

adjective

without emotion; apathetic; unmoved.
calm; serene.

unconscious; insensible.
not subject to suffering.

Origin of impassive

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

Other words for impassive

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

See synonyms for impassive on Thesaurus.com

Other words from impassive

im·pas·sive·ly, adverb
im·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. 2023

How to use impassive in a sentence

The Israeli soldiers, my age, sat impassively on a bench while babies cried and a man complained about gratuitous humiliation.
Gaza, You're No Good For My Marriage | Josh Robin | August 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
In 2007, Mike Huckabee stood impassively on a Republican presidential debate stage while Mitt Romney tried to embarrass him.
Happy Huckabee Gets Mad | David Freedlander | May 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Some of these attacks have been videotaped in a manner that suggests Israeli forces on the scene stood by impassively.
Where Settler Terrorism Comes From | Hussein Ibish | October 9, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
They both stood charged as adults and faced the judge as impassively as if it were all just what was to be expected.
Chicago Gang Shootings Spike as the City Tries to Cope | Michael Daly | April 17, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
He was fanning himself impassively with a little fan of gold-embroidered strawwork.
The Nabob | Alphonse Daudet

The latter said impassively: "If I cared for her I should very likely kill her—if not—" he shrugged his shoulders.
Villa Rubein and Other Stories | John Galsworthy
Within, the editor worked on as steadily and impassively as Fate.
Mrs. Skaggs's Husbands and Other Stories | Bret Harte
But she had moved slightly away from him and was now regarding him impassively.
The Secret Witness | George Gibbs
One of them swung impassively toward the battery; there were three quick stabs of living flame, and the guns ceased firing.
The Onslaught from Rigel | Fletcher Pratt

British Dictionary definitions for impassive

impassive

/ (ɪmˈpæsɪv) /

adjective

not revealing or affected by emotion; reserved
calm; serene; imperturbable

rare unconscious or insensible

Derived forms of impassive

impassively, adverb
impassiveness 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

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