Crossword puzzles are full of tricky and clever words. One of them is “impassive.” If you’ve seen the clue “impassive crossword clue” in a puzzle and weren’t sure what it meant, you’re not alone. Many people search for help with this clue every day! In this guide, we’ll break it down clearly, show you simple answers, and help you get better at solving crosswords like a pro—even if you’re just starting.
What Is an “Impassive” Crossword Clue?
When you’re working on a crossword puzzle and come across the clue “impassive,” the puzzle is looking for a word that means calm, emotionless, or not showing feelings. It’s often used to describe someone who keeps a straight face, even in tough or happy situations. Think of someone who doesn’t smile, doesn’t frown, and looks the same no matter what is happening. That’s the idea behind “impassive.”
In crossword puzzles, the clue “impassive” is usually matched with short, simple words that suggest someone is calm, cool, or even blank. Sometimes, the crossword will also use clues like:
- Poker-faced
- Emotionless
- Without reaction
- Blank expression
- Stoic
These are all synonyms or clues that want the same kind of answer.
Simple Words That Match “Impassive” in Crosswords
When solving for “impassive,” you’re not expected to come up with a complex or fancy word. Crossword answers for impassive are usually short and familiar words that are easy to fit in different puzzle sizes.
These are some common and easy impassive crossword answers:
- Calm – This shows no strong emotion, very simple and short.
- Cool – A slang term that means relaxed or not showing emotion.
- Aloof – A bit more advanced, but still common in puzzles.
- Stoic – A classic answer in many puzzles.
- Blah – Sometimes used when someone is totally indifferent.
- Dry – As in showing no emotion or humor.
These simple terms are all popular and help fill in the crossword grid when “impassive” appears as a clue. They usually have low keyword difficulty (KD) and are frequently searched by solvers in the U.S. looking for easy crossword answers.
Best Clues That Fit “Impassive”
Now that you know what “impassive” means, let’s talk about the best clues and words that match this term in crosswords. Whether you’re solving a big Sunday newspaper puzzle or a quick mobile game, clues for “impassive” will often appear in different styles.

Here are some clue types that might lead to an impassive-related answer:
- “Emotionless expression”
- “Poker face”
- “Without reaction”
- “Doesn’t flinch”
- “Calm under pressure”
- “Lacks feeling”
- “Face with no emotion”
Even if they don’t directly use the word “impassive,” these clues are asking for the same thing: a word that shows someone who doesn’t show their feelings.
4-Letter Words You Might See
These short words are very common in puzzles and are perfect for small crossword grids.
- Calm – Steady, not excited.
- Cool – Emotionally chill.
- Blah – Feeling nothing.
- Mild – Soft, gentle.
- Dry – Without emotion or humor.
- Apat – Short for “apathetic,” showing no emotion.
These words are great examples of low-difficulty crossword answers for “impassive.” Many of them are searched often, and they’re easy to remember.
5-Letter Words That Match
These medium-length words are great for medium-difficulty puzzles. They’re still simple, and they match well with “impassive.”
- Stoic – A classic puzzle answer.
- Aloof – Distant, not emotionally involved.
- Blase – Bored or unimpressed.
- Stiff – Lacking emotion or movement.
- Glum – Not showing happiness.
These 5-letter words are commonly found in puzzles and frequently show up in word search tools like Ahrefs or Semrush, especially under “impassive crossword clue” or “stoic clue.”
Long Answers (But Still Easy!)
Sometimes, puzzles offer longer answers that still mean the same thing as “impassive.” These often show up in themed puzzles or larger grids.
- Expressionless – Showing no emotion at all.
- Unemotional – Without strong feelings.
- Dispassionate – Not influenced by emotion.
- Indifferent – Doesn’t care either way.
- Poker-faced – Classic term for showing nothing.
These answers are more advanced but still easy to understand and often searched by users looking for clues like “emotionless crossword answer” or “blank look in a crossword.”
Why Do Crosswords Use “Impassive”?
The word “impassive” is used in crosswords because it fits well into puzzles, both in meaning and in structure. It has synonyms that vary in length, use common letters, and are widely recognized. Crossword makers love words like “impassive” because:
- They have many simple synonyms
- They challenge the solver just enough
- They fit easily into different crossword grid designs
Also, “impassive” as a concept is very human. We all know someone who keeps a calm face or doesn’t show feelings—and that makes the clue relatable.
What Does “Stoic” Mean in a Puzzle?
The word “stoic” is one of the most common answers to the clue “impassive” in any crossword. In real life, a stoic person is someone who doesn’t show emotion, especially in tough situations.
For example:
- If someone hears bad news but stays calm, they are being stoic.
- If a person wins a game but doesn’t celebrate, that’s also stoic behavior.
In crossword puzzles, clues like:
- “Unemotional”
- “Not showing pain”
- “Unmoved”
- “Takes it quietly”
… often all point to the word stoic.
It’s a great word for puzzles because it has 5 letters, uses common letters (S, T, O, I, C), and is easy to fit into many puzzle grids.
Tips to Solve “Impassive” Clues Faster
Crossword clues can be sneaky! Here are some simple and helpful tips to make solving “impassive” clues easier and faster.

Think of Feelings (Or No Feelings!)
When you see the word “impassive,” stop and think: “What kind of person shows no emotion?”
Words that describe no feelings, no reactions, no expressions are your go-to choices.
Some thinking prompts:
- Is the person acting cold?
- Are they staying calm?
- Are they being blank?
Answering these mentally helps you remember good synonyms like calm, stoic, aloof, or expressionless.
Use Crossword Helper Tools
If you’re stuck, tools like Crossword Solver, WordHippo, or even the Ahrefs keyword tool can help! These helpers allow you to:
- Search clues like “emotionless 5-letter word”
- See popular answers for “impassive crossword clue”
- Get suggestions based on known letters
For example, if your puzzle already has “S _ O _ C,” typing that into a solver will likely suggest STOIC.
Words Like “Impassive” in Other Puzzles
Don’t limit yourself to just one word. Many puzzles use different ways to describe “impassive.” Keep these related clues in mind:
- “Indifferent”
- “Calm under pressure”
- “Poker-faced”
- “Emotionless”
- “Blank expression”
- “Not flinching”
- “Cool-headed”
These are SEO-friendly long-tail keywords that not only help in puzzles but are commonly searched, especially by U.S.-based crossword fans.
Where Can You Find Easy Crosswords to Practice?
If you want to get better at solving “impassive” clues and other similar ones, practice is key. Try these sources:
- The New York Times Mini Crossword – Easy daily puzzles
- LA Times Daily Crossword
- USA Today Crossword
- Daily Themed Crossword
- Puzzle Page app (for mobile devices)
- Boatload Puzzles – Thousands of free online crosswords
All of these offer simple, beginner-friendly puzzles where clues like “impassive” are common and great for learning.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve ever been stuck on the “impassive crossword clue,” don’t worry—you’re not alone. It’s a popular clue with lots of possible answers like stoic, calm, aloof, bland, or expressionless. The key is understanding that it always points to someone or something that doesn’t show emotion or keeps a straight face.
By recognizing common synonyms, practicing with easy puzzles, and using crossword helper tools, you’ll get faster and better at solving clues like this one.