PHLEGMATIC Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

phlegmatic

adjective

fleg-ˈma-tik

Definition of phlegmatic next

as in stoic

not feeling or showing emotion a strangely phlegmatic response to what should have been happy news

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word phlegmatic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of phlegmatic are apathetic, impassive, stoic, and stolid. While all these words mean "unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion," phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse.

a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

When is it sensible to use apathetic instead of phlegmatic?

Although the words apathetic and phlegmatic have much in common, apathetic may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness.

charitable appeals met an apathetic response

When would impassive be a good substitute for phlegmatic?

While in some cases nearly identical to phlegmatic, impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression.

met the news with an impassive look

When is stoic a more appropriate choice than phlegmatic?

The meanings of stoic and phlegmatic 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

Where would stolid be a reasonable alternative to phlegmatic?

The words stolid and phlegmatic can be used in similar contexts, but stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity.

stolid workers wedded to routine

Examples 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 phlegmatic Others, though, were even more phlegmatic. —

Rory Smith, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2022 Thiel is phlegmatic about his venture and points to the entrepreneurial spirit found within Texas, U.S. —

Jemma Green, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023 The real winner was a man who wasn’t there: McConnell, the phlegmatic leader of the nonanarchic Senate GOP. —

Doyle McManuswashington Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2023 Right now, there might be no sprinter alive more talented than Erriyon Knighton, the phlegmatic teenager from Tampa, Florida, who over the course of the past year has broken Bolt’s under-18 and under-20 world records in the 200-meters. —

Martin Fritz Huber, Outside Online, 11 Aug. 2022 See all Example Sentences for phlegmatic