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impassible

impassive

adjective ahn-pah-SEEB-luh Rare

Also means

unmoved

Usage Note

Impassible describes a person who shows no emotion, remaining outwardly calm or expressionless regardless of circumstances. It is invariable in form — the feminine is also impassible. Learners should not confuse it with English 'impossible'; the French for 'impossible' is impossible. A near-synonym is imperturbable (unflappable).

Examples

"Il restait impassible face aux critiques."

Natural Translation

He remained impassive in the face of criticism.

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