🚧 Impossible to cross 🛡️ Cannot feel pain 😐 No emotion shown

impassible

8.3

Not showing any emotion on the face

adjective
/ɪmˈpæsəbl/

: impasible

Despite the shocking news, his impassible expression did not change.

Examples

John is impassible.
She kept an impassible face even when everyone else was laughing.
The judge remained impassible throughout the entire trial, never revealing her thoughts.
Don't be so impassible about your emotions!
She remained impassible during the difficult conversation, revealing no signs of frustration.
Despite the chaos around him, his impassible demeanor reassured everyone that he was in control.
The judge maintained an impassible expression throughout the lengthy trial, showing no bias.

Synonyms

blank

vsimpassible

89 4.2

A look that shows no expression or understanding

is about not showing emotion rather than lacking comprehension or awareness

numb

vsimpassible

62 4.1

Unable to feel or show emotion after something upsetting

describes outward lack of feeling without implying inability or shock

indifferent

vsimpassible

46 4.4

Not interested or showing no strong feeling about something

is about outward absence of feeling rather than lack of interest or care

apathetic

vsimpassible

24 6.8

Not showing much interest or energy

focuses on not showing emotion rather than general lack of interest

expressionless

vsimpassible

11 4.4

Having a face or way of acting that shows no feeling

is broader, referring to general lack of feeling beyond facial stillness

impassive

vsimpassible

11 7.1

Not showing any feeling on the face or in the voice

has identical meaning but differs only in form or spelling

emotionless

vsimpassible

11 5.5

Not showing feelings on the face or in the voice

is more about outward absence of feeling rather than inner resistance

unemotional

vsimpassible

11 4.4

Not showing strong feelings

is about showing no emotion visibly rather than being simply calm

unmoved

vsimpassible

8 5.1

Not showing strong feelings or any visible reaction

is about a blank outward reaction rather than inner resistance

unaffected

vsimpassible

3 3.9

Not changed or harmed by something and not showing strong feeling

is about showing no feeling or facial reaction rather than mere unchanged state

imperturbable

vsimpassible

2 8.1

Not easily upset or worried, even in difficult situations

shows no emotion or reaction, not just steady calmness

inexpressive

vsimpassible

1 5.5

Having little feeling in the face or voice

is about lacking emotion inwardly rather than only showing little facial expression

affectless

vsimpassible

1 9.3

A person who shows no emotion in the face or voice

is broader, meaning not affected inside as well as not showing feeling

nonreactive

vsimpassible

1 5.3

Someone or something that shows no response when something happens

is about lacking emotion and visible reaction rather than broad nonresponse

unreactive

vsimpassible

1 6.5

Does not show feelings or respond when someone tries to upset them

is focused on emotional absence and expression rather than general nonresponse

insensate

vsimpassible

1 9.9

Having no feeling in body or mind and no pity

focuses only on emotional blankness rather than physical lack of sensation

unimpassioned

vsimpassible

1 7.4

Calm and not showing strong feelings

is about showing no visible feeling rather than being simply reasonable

unexpressive

vsimpassible

5.5

A person or thing that shows very little feeling in the face and voice

is about lacking inner feeling rather than merely low outward display

undemonstrated

vsimpassible

7.6

Not showing feelings openly so others cannot tell how they feel

means complete absence of visible feeling rather than merely private feelings

unmeltable

vsimpassible

7.9

Not able to feel sorry for others or be emotionally moved

describes simple lack of emotion or expression rather than active resistance

Antonyms

expressive

41 3.4

Showing feelings and ideas clearly in the face or voice

reactive

24 4.3

Quickly showing a strong response when something affects it

How Emotional

expressive

41 3.4

reserved

3.7

stoic

20 7.0

impassible

8.3

Surface Forms

impassible positive

Morphology

impassible = passible (semi-transparent) = im + pass + ible

While the prefix 'im-' negates 'passible', the meaning of 'showing no emotion' is a more abstract derivation.

Etymology

Impassible is made of in- 'not' and pass 'to feel', so it means 'not showing feeling'. That is why an impassible face does not change even when something surprising happens.