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stoic
/ˈstoʊɪk/
enduring pain without complaint
Despite losing his job, Mark remained stoic and focused on finding a new one.
Mark showed emotional control and resilience despite adversity.
formal
Enduring pain, hardship, or stress without showing emotion or complaining.
The firefighter's stoic demeanor during the rescue amazed everyone.
The firefighter showed remarkable calm and composure under extreme pressure.
She accepted the bad news with a stoic expression, refusing to let her emotions show.
She maintained a calm and unemotional facade despite the distressing news.
Often describes someone who faces adversity with quiet strength and self-control.
formal
A person who practices stoicism; someone who remains calm and unaffected by emotions.
As a stoic, Marcus Aurelius wrote about accepting what we cannot control.
Marcus Aurelius, known for his philosophical stoicism, advocated emotional resilience.
Refers to followers of Stoicism, an ancient Greek philosophy emphasizing virtue, reason, and emotional control.
Collocations
stoic acceptanceaccepting something difficult without complaintstoic resolvedetermination to endure hardship without showing emotionstoic silenceremaining quiet and unemotional despite distress
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'stoic'
Use 'stoic' to describe someone enduring hardship, not just someone who is generally calm. For example, 'She remained stoic after the accident' is correct, but 'He is a stoic person' may imply he is always unemotional, which is not the intended meaning.
Gold Rule
Context matters
The word 'stoic' implies endurance of hardship or pain, not just general calmness. Ensure the context reflects struggle or adversity.
Word Origin
From Latin *Stoicus*, from Greek *Στωϊκός* (Stoikós), meaning 'of the Stoa' (a painted porch in Athens where Zeno of Citium taught Stoicism). The philosophy itself derives from *στοά* (stoá), meaning 'porch' or 'colonnade.'
Usage Notes
Commonly used to describe people who endure hardship with dignity. Avoid using it to describe someone who is simply indifferent or emotionless in all situations, as the term implies resilience through adversity.
Word Breakdown
stoic
pertaining to Stoicism or its followers
rootEnglish Dictionary