Definition of stolidnext
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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

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 stolid Even Universal’s stolid Lew Wasserman was suddenly looking for buyers and firing existing staff. Peter Bart, Deadline, 18 Dec. 2025 Joel Edgerton plays Robert Grainier, an orphan who grows up to be a stolid working man. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 21 Nov. 2025 Though deBessonet’s production strips away a lot of the bunting, Ragtime has a stolid and demonstrative core and an educational tone worthy of EPCOT. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025 That there is, in fact, a mysticism engrained within the stolid, that the compulsion to produce isn’t inconsistent with inspiration, but an extension of it? Literary Hub, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for stolid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stolid
Adjective
  • These plants are easy to maintain, and grow quickly, allowing and blank space in your containers to appear lush and full.
    Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The blank walls stared at her, vacant pinholes made by previous tenants peering down like dark, shrunken pupils.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • And even as his father stood stoic on the sideline, the arena felt the emotional weight of the moment.
    Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
  • And center Jake Slaughter was, well, as stoic as the All-American has ever been.
    Noah White, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Bakri’s face is impassive and exhausted during this casual debasement, his voice low, and his tone deadpan, as though Salim has been forced to do all this a million times before.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Dressed in a blue sweatshirt and surrounded by court officers, Henderson remained impassive.
    Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The routine calls for this chic, almost expressionless vibe — very different from a typical K-pop performance.
    Billboard Korea, Billboard, 26 Nov. 2025
  • 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
  • Alongside college basketball icon Bill Raftery, Hill sat motionless as the ball rattled in, hand over his mouth, at a complete loss for words.
    Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The man is later seen lying motionless on the street as bystanders and police attempt to wake him.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The 1999 film, shot primarily in Seattle, starred Julia Stiles as the fiercely independent Kat Stratford, Larisa Oleynik as her sister, Bianca, and Heath Ledger as the enigmatic Patrick Verona.
    Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Salahuddin plays the enigmatic leader of the titular cult, with Strassner as lovable cult member Toddrick.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Within in an hour of the first departure in Lantana, the helicopter nosedived through the roof of a vacant warehouse near the 3800 block of South Congress Avenue just west of Interstate 95.
    Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
  • And while the vacant Boise store remains listed for lease at 8249 Franklin Road, the interior of the soon-to-open Meridian shop has gotten a vibrant makeover.
    Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stolid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stolid. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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