Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dispassionate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dispassionate are equitable, fair, impartial, just, objective, and unbiased. While all these words mean "free from favor toward either or any side," dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment.

a dispassionate summation of the facts

How are the words equitable and just related as synonyms of dispassionate?

Equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned.

the equitable distribution of the property

When is it sensible to use fair instead of dispassionate?

The words fair and dispassionate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests.

a fair decision

When could impartial be used to replace dispassionate?

The meanings of impartial and dispassionate largely overlap; however, impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice.

an impartial third party

Where would just be a reasonable alternative to dispassionate?

In some situations, the words just and dispassionate are roughly equivalent. However, just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper.

a just settlement of territorial claims

When is objective a more appropriate choice than dispassionate?

While in some cases nearly identical to dispassionate, objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings.

I can't be objective about my own child

When would unbiased be a good substitute for dispassionate?

While the synonyms unbiased and dispassionate are close in meaning, unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice.

your unbiased opinion

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dispassionate Given its clever production and Stoltenberg’s consciously dispassionate vocals, Big City Life could easily come across as forbiddingly cool. Liam Hess, Vogue, 24 May 2025 Since mainstream media coverage of Trump is so often negative, indeed the adversarial relationship is now established, more dispassionate evaluation becomes highly desirable. Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025 Thus, a dispassionate discussion is needed on what net zero means for oil and gas. Simi Thambi​, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025 Readers acquainted with the mixed lyricism and sarcasm of the Communist Manifesto or Marx’s inflamed journalism on the events of his day may be surprised by the desiccated laying out of concepts and dispassionate tone of Capital. Benjamin Kunkel, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dispassionate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispassionate
Adjective
  • Restructuring sounds proactive; business optimization sounds strategic; and a focus on cost structures feels impartial.
    Kevin Williams, CNBC, 20 July 2025
  • While representing a 26-year-old Shoshone County woman accused in 2014 of suffocating her boyfriend’s 22-month-old child, Taylor succeeded in getting the trial moved to Kootenai County out of concern of seating an impartial jury.
    Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2025
Adjective
  • Walsh adds that these issues won’t be solved without more equitable access to childcare for working-class families.
    ​Wendy Wisner, Parents, 21 July 2025
  • The fact is that allowing customer data to flow, under an equitable arrangement, is good not only for banks and fintechs but for society as a whole.
    David G.W. Birch, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • Warrior mindset: Being fair means treating everyone with equal respect and navigating situations with some thought and judgment.
    Marek Niedzwiedz, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Breakthroughs for the global game have also included the equal pay deal agreed stateside in 2022 by US Soccer, and a five-year rights agreement with broadcasters Sky Sports and the BBC for the English Women's Soccer League starting 2025 which is set to give unprecedented reach to matches.
    Jenni Reid, CNBC, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dispassionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispassionate. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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