variants or stoical
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word stoic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of stoic are apathetic, impassive, phlegmatic, and stolid. While all these words mean "unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion," stoic implies an apparent indifference to pleasure or especially to pain often as a matter of principle or self-discipline.

was resolutely stoic even in adversity

When is it sensible to use apathetic instead of stoic?

The synonyms apathetic and stoic are sometimes interchangeable, but apathetic may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness.

charitable appeals met an apathetic response

When could impassive be used to replace stoic?

The words impassive and stoic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression.

met the news with an impassive look

When can phlegmatic be used instead of stoic?

While in some cases nearly identical to stoic, phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse.

a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

When would stolid be a good substitute for stoic?

While the synonyms stolid and stoic are close in meaning, stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity.

stolid workers wedded to routine

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 stoic Only at the end of the second episode does the stoic fixer allow himself to be unleashed. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025 Jack Schumacher’s Yancy Grey, who can be seen later on in the trailer risking it all for a rodeo ride, asks Cap Fuller (James Brolin) about the stoic Staten. Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2025 There’ll probably be some cowbells, and there might be someone trilling in sultry Portuguese or a burst of wordless, stoic alpha-male grunts. Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Mar. 2025 And then there are the cats—dozens of them, prowling or stoic doppelgangers of the real-life felines who roamed Abercrombie’s Hyde Park Victorian. Jeremy Lybarger, ARTnews.com, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stoic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stoic
Adjective
  • Today, healthcare organizations use AI to improve patient experiences with data gathering and summarization features.
    Maribel Lopez, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • On the days near that peak, patient skywatchers may be treated to a modest but mesmerizing display of shooting stars streaking across the sky.
    Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This includes drugs like lidocaine, which is used to numb pain.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Regarding driving dynamics, the LT is tuned for non-enthusiasts—the steering is numb and lifeless, and the cornering grip is average.
    Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The story of children financially supporting their immigrant parents can feed into the myth of the Asian American model minority, which, in part, stereotypes Asian Americans as obedient, hard-working and uncomplaining.
    Mike Dang, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2023
  • Queen Elizabeth II was formal, interested, uncomplaining, and always respectful.
    Caitlin Flanagan, The Atlantic, 12 Nov. 2022
Adjective
  • Clouds will hang around most of the evening, and the low will be around 57 along with calm overnight winds.
    Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 18 Apr. 2025
  • In fact, even Messier 104's central supermassive black hole—which is more than 2,000 times larger than its counterpart in the Milky Way, Sagittarius A, at a staggering 9 billion solar masses—is quite calm.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • His resigned air in the press conference felt like a man who had too much to juggle to cross over the line first.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • In recent weeks, a number of artists canceled planned appearances and resigned positions associated with the center.
    Julia Jacobs, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Left wing-progressives, once skeptical of the status quo, have become stolid guardians of institutions, while right-wing conservatives – once champions of prudence – are tearing down fences.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Chris is young and eager to impress; Duncan, who’s being reluctantly put out to pasture after this last mission, is jokey and irreverent (not a stretch for Harrelson); and Dave is ultra-serious, conveying authority through his stolid demeanor.
    Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Adjective
  • With the Internet and electricity intermittent, fog has settled on the long-suffering people of Myanmar - who, despite their resilience, are fighting forces beyond compare.
    Roger Huang, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Wendy Hovland does a very good job staying firmly in character as the delusional Constance, and Fred Harlow is kind and sympathetic as her long-suffering husband Andy.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The tone and point of view were lofty, sharp-eyed, seemingly impassive.
    Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Farewell to the impassive, agile grapplers, and to the whiplash pleasure of a badminton rally.
    Maya Singer, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stoic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stoic. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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