affectless

Examples

• All

• Despite the affectless manner in which he spoke, he always managed to give the impression of courteous attention.

  Fiction book (2002)

• An increasingly flat, affectless expression.

  Fiction book (1992)

• His affectless expression suddenly turns to one full of thought.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Such persons fail because they are affectless or lack feelings appropriate to the circumstances.

  Academic text (1999)

• Starling is sitting, affectless, in front of a full cup of coffee at her kitchen table.

  Fiction book (2001)

• Less Than Zero established the affectless style Ellis would become known for.

  Blog text (30)

• Harrison's response was Terrace was this cold, affectless fish who had driven Nim into virtual autism.

• She seemed truly affectless in relating it, open to attention but not solicitous or contemptuous, nor affecting disdain or contempt, which I hate.

  Fiction book (1997)

• I couldn't believe it when I saw him: just the classic picture of the egghead, straight out of a comic book, with his thick glasses, domed forehead, and affectless monotone.

  Fiction book (1991)

• He spoke in an affectless tone, making it hard to tell how he really felt about the news.

Synonyms

N

numb

vsaffectless

62 4.1

Unable to feel or show emotion after something upsetting

refers to visible lack of emotion rather than actual inability to feel

E

expressionless

vsaffectless

11 4.4

Having a face or way of acting that shows no feeling

is the same idea but stated more generally about emotional display

I

impassive

vsaffectless

11 7.1

Not showing any feeling on the face or in the voice

is similar but framed as a broader lack of emotional display

E

emotionless

vsaffectless

11 5.5

Not showing feelings on the face or in the voice

means a lack of visible feeling rather than total internal numbness

U

unemotional

vsaffectless

11 4.4

Not showing strong feelings

is about showing no visible emotion rather than steady calmness

P

passionless

vsaffectless

3 6.2

Not showing strong feelings or interest

describes missing visible emotion rather than just low enthusiasm

I

inexpressive

vsaffectless

1 5.5

Having little feeling in the face or voice

covers the same lack of outward expression but more generally stated

N

nonreactive

vsaffectless

1 5.3

Someone or something that shows no response when something happens

focuses only on visible emotional absence, not all response types

U

unexpressive

vsaffectless

5.5

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

is the same lack of outward feeling described in a single term

N

nonexpressive

vsaffectless

7.0

Showing no feelings on the face or in actions

focuses specifically on absence of visible emotional signs

I

impassible

vsaffectless

8.3

Not showing any emotion on the face

is about lack of outward emotion rather than complete immunity

A

athymic

vsaffectless

• Specialized

9.9

Not showing much feeling

is similar but emphasizes visible absence rather than clinical lack

U

undemonstrated

vsaffectless

7.6

Not showing feelings openly so others cannot tell how they feel

is the same absence of display but not necessarily intentional restraint

Antonyms

E

emotional

535 2.1

Showing strong feelings that are easy to see

E

expressive

41 3.4

Showing feelings and ideas clearly in the face or voice

How Expressive

emotional

535 2.1

expressive

41 3.4

reserved

3.7

affectless

1 9.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology