stoic

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'stoic' is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to someone who is seemingly indifferent to or unaffected by joy, grief, pleasure, or pain. You can use it to describe someone's demeanor or attitude. For example, "He maintained a stoic expression as he listened to her complaints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was struck just by how stoic, how forgiving, how loving, how patient they have been throughout what has been, quite frankly, a terrible experience.

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 9.29pm AnST12:29 An incredibly stoic and gracious performance from Gillard.

The Guardian

Meanwhile Mark, the reverend whose daughter is missing, has adopted a stoic tone, despite cautious optimism about Buhari.

The Guardian

She did, and for the first time on a podium, the true stoic of her sport shed a quiet tear.

The Guardian - Sport

The core of the game is stoic batting, watch your off stump, leave the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

I leave Nick deep in negotiations with a three-year-old boy who was impressively stoic while the cut on his forehead was sutured, but less so at the prospect of going home without that plastic truck.

The Guardian

The County substitute Liam Boyce scored with nine minutes remaining to give the home side hope, but Killie remained stoic in defence, despite a late flurry of activity, for a good away victory.

The Guardian - Sport

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 6.15pm ET23:15 From the department of schadenfreude – CBS News has a mildly tedious tick-tock of Mitt Romney's reaction to defeat on Tuesday night: Romney was stoic as he talked to the president, an aide said, but his wife Ann cried.

The Guardian

According to comments by one of two jurors who agreed to discuss the case, there was credible evidence to support at least one of the dismissed charges, but not enough to convict.Mr Gupta, as has been his manner throughout the case, was stoic after hearing the verdict.

The Economist

Every day, says Ms Johansen, the most stoic people in her neighbourhood threaten to move out to the suburbs.

The Economist

But here are two: the quotidian, stoic heroism with which so many Japanese have responded to devastating loss and terrifying danger; and the outpouring of sympathy and support for them from around the world.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stoic" when you want to emphasize a person's ability to endure hardship without showing feelings or complaining. It's suitable for describing characters in literature or real-life individuals facing adversity.

Common error

Avoid using "stoic" to describe someone who is simply devoid of emotion. "Stoic" implies a conscious effort to control or suppress feelings, not a complete lack thereof. Use "apathetic" or "unemotional" if the person shows no feelings at all.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stoic" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a quality of being seemingly indifferent to or unaffected by pain or pleasure, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "stoic" is an adjective used to describe someone who endures hardship without showing feelings. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "impassive" or "unemotional" exist, "stoic" specifically implies a conscious effort to control emotions rather than a complete absence of feeling. Therefore, using "stoic" accurately requires considering the context of emotional endurance and resilience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impassive

Indicates a lack of displayed emotion, similar to being "stoic" but can imply a stronger sense of detachment.

unemotional

Implies absence of emotion, while "stoic" suggests suppression or control of emotions.

composed

Highlights maintaining a calm demeanor, differing from "stoic" which emphasizes enduring hardship silently.

self-controlled

Focuses on the act of restraining one's emotions or reactions, a component of being "stoic".

philosophical

Connects to the Stoic school of thought, highlighting acceptance and understanding, not just emotional suppression.

resilient

Emphasizes the ability to recover quickly from difficulties, a consequence of being "stoic".

patient

Underlines the capacity to accept delays or suffering without complaint, an aspect of a "stoic" nature.

uncomplaining

Stresses the absence of expressing dissatisfaction, a behavioral manifestation of being "stoic".

long-suffering

Highlights enduring prolonged hardship or annoyance, a more intense form of being "stoic".

imperturbable

Indicates an inability to be upset or agitated, a state resulting from a "stoic" mindset.

FAQs

How can I use "stoic" in a sentence?

You can use "stoic" to describe someone who endures hardship without showing their feelings. For example, "Despite the bad news, she remained "stoic" and continued with her work".

What's a good alternative to the word "stoic"?

Alternatives to "stoic" include "impassive", "unemotional", or "composed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to be a "stoic" person?

Being a "stoic" person means facing adversity with fortitude, maintaining emotional control, and not showing distress or complaint. It often implies adherence to principles of Stoicism, an ancient philosophy.

Is "stoic" the same as "apathetic"?

No, "stoic" is not the same as "apathetic". "Stoic" implies the suppression or control of emotions in the face of adversity, while "apathetic" suggests a lack of interest or concern.