stoic

adjective

ˈstō-ik How to pronounce stoic (audio)
variants or stoical
Definition of stoicnext
1
as in patient
accepting pains or hardships calmly or without complaint after waiting six years for permission to immigrate to the U.S., the family is stoic about a six-month postponement

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in calm
not feeling or showing emotion at her husband's funeral she remained stoic, and only a few imagined the depth of her grief

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Blumberg maintained a stoic face but was experiencing a range of emotions. — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 Cullen’s Optimus Prime could be gruff or fierce, but there was something stoic and always kind under the surface. — Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2026 All four stars ably play the stoic and sorrowful notes required of them, without finding many secondary or contrasting ones in their dialogue. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 These were all rituals to honor the end of life, but a bit stoic. — Caroline Cherston, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stoic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stoic
  1. patient
  2. calm
  3. passive
  4. stolid
  5. obedient
  6. impassive
  7. uncomplaining
  8. phlegmatic
Adjective
  • For smaller practices, the development of digital outreach often takes place alongside patient care and routine administrative responsibilities.
    — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Replace its electronic medical record system and improve cybersecurity, staff workflows, patient communications, and information exchange with hospitals, specialists, laboratories, and other care partners.
    — Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of patient
Adjective
  • Mood stabilizers influence brain receptors that release and maintain neurotransmitters, calm overactive circuits and strengthen cellular connections over time.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • As a priest, Lamb held a calm, patient and somewhat self-deprecating sense of perspective.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of calm
Adjective
  • The system was used to explore how mobile robotics could extend the reach of passive drone detection into forward or hazardous areas while operators remained elsewhere in the battlespace.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
  • He is then absorbed into a government system under which people without work are assigned mandatory tasks to prevent them from becoming too passive.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of passive
Adjective
  • Breakout potential may be curbed by its stolid, downbeat nature.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Many Labour members hope Burnham’s people skills and charisma can connect with the public more than the stolid, managerial Starmer could ever do.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 June 2026
Definition of stolid
Adjective
  • Reflecting on her obedient past as a child actor, Panettiere told THR that that pressure ultimately took a toll on her.
    — Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The native, late summer-blooming obedient plant is a showy addition to your garden.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of obedient
Adjective
  • At one point, he was seen cracking a smile, a departure from his otherwise impassive nature throughout the hearings.
    — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Lancelot, noticeably weary, impassive, and preoccupied atop an equally weary black horse, follows the sorcerer, while Merlin leads him up the path into the realm of shadows, out of the frame to the left.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026
Definition of impassive
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
  • At 65, the uncomplaining, modestly dressed Hornclaw appears to be a model senior citizen.
    — Washington Post, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2022
Definition of uncomplaining
Adjective
  • The thickset Armand Assante was a phlegmatic Odysseus, but Greta Scacchi, as Penelope—who has so little to say in the poem—became the physical embodiment of anger, and Isabella Rossellini was a teasing Athena.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026
  • Shinichi Atobe’s arresting house and techno beams with inimitable candor, built from bright, phlegmatic loops that run on an eccentric internal logic.
    — Maxie Younger, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of phlegmatic

Browse Nearby Words

stodgy
stoic
stoically
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Cite this Entry

“Stoic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stoic. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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