Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In an impassive manner; without showing emotion or feeling: The word "impassively" describes the way someone behaves or reacts without displaying any emotional response, such as anger, excitement, or distress. It implies a calm, controlled, and often unreadable exterior.

Usage and Examples

• General Adverb Use:
  • The guard stood impassively at the gate, ignoring the protests.
  • She listened impassively to the criticism, her face revealing nothing.
  • He stared impassively out the window as the news was delivered.

Advanced Usage

• In Narrative Description: Often used in writing to describe a character's stoic or detached reaction to a significant event.
  • The detective watched impassively as the suspect broke down in tears.
• To Contrast Internal and External State: Highlights a difference between a person's outward calm and their possible internal feelings.
  • Though her heart was racing, she accepted the award impassively.

Variants and Related Words

• Impassive (adjective): Not feeling or showing emotion.
  • His impassive expression gave nothing away.
• Impassivity (noun): The quality of being impassive.
  • Her impassivity under pressure was remarkable.

Synonyms

• Stoically: Enduring pain or hardship without showing feelings or complaining.
• Unemotionally: In a manner not influenced by emotions.
• Phlegmatically: In a calm, unemotional manner, especially under stress.
• Stolidly: In a calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation.

Antonyms

• Emotionally: In a manner characterized by emotion.
• Expressively: In a manner that effectively conveys thought or feeling.
• Passionately: With strong and barely controlled emotion.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To keep a poker face: To maintain a calm, impassive expression that hides one's true feelings. This idiom is related to the concept of behaving impassively.
  • You must keep a poker face during the negotiation.
• Without batting an eye: Without showing any surprise or emotion. This phrase describes a reaction that is effectively impassive.
  • He accepted the bizarre request without batting an eye.

Adverb

1. in an impassive manner
   • he submitted impassively to his arrest