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Synonym Chooser

How is the word stolid distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of stolid are apathetic, impassive, phlegmatic, and stoic. While all these words mean "unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion," stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity.

stolid workers wedded to routine

In what contexts can apathetic take the place of stolid?

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

charitable appeals met an apathetic response

When would impassive be a good substitute for stolid?

While in some cases nearly identical to stolid, impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression.

met the news with an impassive look

When could phlegmatic be used to replace stolid?

While the synonyms phlegmatic and stolid are close in meaning, phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse.

a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

Where would stoic be a reasonable alternative to stolid?

The meanings of stoic and stolid largely overlap; however, 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

Examples 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 stolid Aidan, a character designed to contrast Chris Noth’s withholding Mr. Big and originally scheduled for just three episodes, was also, like much classic American furniture, stolid and unyielding. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 20 June 2023 The entrance to the management building, a stolid modernist structure, was dominated by bronze letters reading cccp. Elettra Pauletto, Harper's Magazine, 11 Dec. 2023 Musically speaking, both songs are stolid, turgid, and no fun. David Cantwell, Time, 24 Aug. 2023 One is a sumptuously colored tapestry-weave wall hanging, probably from sixth-century Egypt, with an image of a stolid Virgin and Child flanked by archangels with TikTok haircuts. Holland Cotter, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023 See all Example Sentences for stolid 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stolid
Adjective
  • Seconds later, the clown pulled out a gun and shot Warren in the mouth at point blank range.
    KC Baker, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Six world-class interior designers were given a blank canvas to create their interiors, and the results are strikingly different, from Luca Dini’s waterfall through the superyacht’s two-level beach club to the large picture windows on the interior salon by Francois Zuretti.
    Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is known for his stoic public face.
    Hans Nichols, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024
  • This is a revenge story, as classical in its arc as True Grit or Kill Bill, and Taylor-Joy holds the film’s rage and bloodlust in her tiny frame and stoic face.
    Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • Navigating the new era of AI innovation While Keith Davidson faces ongoing questioning, former president Donald Trump is largely an impassive figure in...
    Washington Post, Washington Post, 25 May 2024
  • Our first Killarney run combined the fervent greenness of the previous day with the impassive steepness of our earlier outings.
    Alexandra Kleeman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Subjects were shown pictures of two expressionless male faces over and over.
    Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 11 Sep. 2012
  • Bale ran to the corner of the pitch, and, having been an expressionless bystander for much of the evening, shouted in ecstasy.
    Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2022
Adjective
  • Archaeologists have made several significant discoveries at a prehistoric settlement in the Middle East, including an enigmatic clay head figurine.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024
  • The slightly enigmatic, behind-the-scenes Artistic Director who has masterminded indelible moments of pop culture that belies his out-of-the-spotlight persona.
    Rebecca Suhrawardi, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Frogmore Cottage has been vacant since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were asked to vacate.
    Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
  • Trees obstruct a direct view of the vacant homes, which sit at the end of a long driveway atop a hill, with single-story homes and apartment complexes near its base.
    Teri Figueroa, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Stolid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stolid. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

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