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imperturbable

imperturbable

2 8.1
Not easily upset or worried, even in difficult situations
  • adjective
  • /ˌɪmpərˈtɜːrbəbl/
translation icon : imperturbable
  • She faced the criticism with an imperturbable demeanor, showing no signs of being disturbed.
  • imperturbable calm
  • imperturbable face
  • imperturbable man

Examples

  • But the lady of the house remained imperturbable, shielded behind an aseptic and watchful silence.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • "Certainly, sir." Humphrey's voice was imperturbable as ever.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • No sign of his surprise or anger would show on his imperturbable features.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • I want to say the same thing but know I must appear to be imperturbable, even jaded.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Alan wandered out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist, imperturbable as ever.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The Warder's face was as imperturbable as a carving.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • His talk, always with a smile, is so easy, so precise, as if rising from an imperturbable calm, flowing like a smooth, easy, relentless tide.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Oscagne, his diplomat's face imperturbable, approached the dais.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • While the ministers dispatched the affairs of the kingdom, he sat erect, silent, and still-musing, with imperturbable mien, on infinity.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Despite the chaos around him, he remained imperturbable, calmly addressing each issue as it arose.

Synonyms

impassive
vsimperturbable
11 7.1

Not showing any feeling on the face or in the voice

is about being unable to be upset rather than merely showing no expression
unemotional
vsimperturbable
11 4.4

Not showing strong feelings

is focused on being unable to be upset under stress rather than lacking emotion generally
unflappable
vsimperturbable
9 7.4

Not getting upset or excited in difficult situations

is more about being innately unable to be disturbed rather than just steady externally
unblinking
vsimperturbable
7 6.7

Not showing any emotion or fear in difficult situations

is about inner inability to be disturbed rather than only lack of outward reaction
nonreactive
vsimperturbable
1 5.3

Someone or something that shows no response when something happens

is focused on emotional inability to be upset rather than broad nonresponse
equanimous
vsimperturbable
  • Formal
1 9.5

Calm and steady in difficult situations

is focused on extreme unshakeable composure rather than balanced mental calm
equable
vsimperturbable
1 7.3

A calm person who does not get angry or upset easily

is about extreme composure in hard moments rather than a steady temperament
unimpassioned
vsimperturbable
1 7.4

Calm and not showing strong feelings

is more about complete inability to be upset than about reasoned balance
unhysterical
vsimperturbable
1 6.8

Calm and not showing strong or out of control feelings in a stressful situation

is about absolute composedness rather than avoiding extreme emotional displays
ice-calm
vsimperturbable
  • Informal
7.9

Being very calm and not showing fear in a stressful situation

is about inner resistance to being upset rather than only appearing composed
self-collected
vsimperturbable
6.1

Calm and in control of your feelings in difficult situations

is about being unable to be upset rather than merely controlled expression
nerveless
vsimperturbable
  • Archaic
7.2

Calm and steady in a difficult or dangerous situation

is about inner inability to be upset rather than simply steady self control
9.9

A person who is very calm and not easily upset, even in a dangerous situation

is the formal expression of extreme composure rather than a colorful idiom
steady-going
vsimperturbable
  • UK
4.9

A person who stays calm and acts in a reliable way

focuses on extreme inability to be upset rather than steady, dependable behaviour
unflurried
vsimperturbable
8.2

Calm and not showing any sign of worry

is about being unable to be upset rather than simply appearing free of agitation
unexcitable
vsimperturbable
6.7

Calm and not easily made nervous or emotional

is about absolute inability to be upset rather than only low excitability
impassible
vsimperturbable
8.3

Not showing any emotion on the face

is about inner calm and extreme composure rather than only lack of visible feeling

Antonyms

49 4.1

Feeling nervous, upset, and not calm

1 6.4

Worried or upset because of something unexpected

How Calm

imperturbable
2 8.1
unflappable
9 7.4
serene
38 3.9
composed
1 4.3
calm
735 1.0

Surface Forms

imperturbable positive

Morphology

imperturbable = perturbable (transparent) = im + perturb + able

The word is built by regular negation (im-) applied to 'perturbable' (perturb + -able), yielding a direct 'not able to be disturbed' meaning.

Etymology

The word imperturbable comes from the parts im- meaning 'not' and perturbare meaning 'to disturb', the same root that gives us turbulent ('very disturbed'). So, someone imperturbable is literally 'not disturbed' and stays calm even in difficult situations.