phlegmatic

adjective

fleg-ˈma-tik How to pronounce phlegmatic (audio)
Definition of phlegmaticnext
as in stoic
not feeling or showing emotion a strangely phlegmatic response to what should have been happy news

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word phlegmatic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of phlegmatic are apathetic, impassive, stoic, and stolid. While all these words mean "unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion," phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse.

a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

When is it sensible to use apathetic instead of phlegmatic?

Although the words apathetic and phlegmatic have much in common, apathetic may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness.

charitable appeals met an apathetic response

When would impassive be a good substitute for phlegmatic?

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

met the news with an impassive look

When is stoic a more appropriate choice than phlegmatic?

The meanings of stoic and phlegmatic 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

Where would stolid be a reasonable alternative to phlegmatic?

The words stolid and phlegmatic can be used in similar contexts, but 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 phlegmatic 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 Kunzweiler, a phlegmatic, gray-haired career prosecutor a generation older, prized the finality of a jury verdict — and the punishment that went with it. — Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026 Massachusetts resident Stephen Chukumba, who featured in the original short and has stepped up to producing for this feature, faces less drastic life choices, especially since his transgender son Hobbes, a delightfully phlegmatic, unflappable kid, is now old enough to go off to university. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 20 Mar. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for phlegmatic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phlegmatic
stoic
Adjective
  • The most remarkable performance in the film, however, may be that of real-life counselor Annette Deao, whose firm hand and sympathetic guidance lend Union County its stoic nature.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 1 July 2026
  • Vladimir Petković, the usually stoic 62-year-old coach of Algeria, said he got goosebumps from the way Lawrence has treated his team.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 28 June 2026
Definition of stoic

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phlegmatic
phobia
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Cite this Entry

“Phlegmatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phlegmatic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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