imperturbable

imperturbable Audio pronunciation

 
adjective | im-per-TER-buh-bul
 
What It Means
 
Imperturbable describes someone or something marked by extreme calm; such a person or thing is very hard to disturb or upset.
 
// The imperturbable captain did not panic when the boat sailed into the path of a violent storm.
 
// Nothing disrupted the contestant's imperturbable focus.

imperturbable
adjective
im·;per·;turb·;able ;im-p;r-;t;r-b;-b;l
Synonyms of imperturbable
: marked by extreme calm, impassivity, and steadiness : serene
imperturbability
;im-p;r-;t;r-b;-;bi-l;-t;
 noun
imperturbably
;im-p;r-;t;r-b;-bl;
 adverb


Did you know?
Imperturbable is a bit of a mouthful, but don’t let its five syllables perturb you. Instead, let us break it down: this word, as well as its antonym perturbable, comes from the Latin verb perturbare, meaning "to agitate, trouble, or throw into confusion." Perturbare comes in turn from the combination of per-, meaning "thoroughly," and turbare, meaning "to disturb"; unsurprisingly perturbare is also the source of the English verb perturb. Other perturbare descendants include disturb ("to destroy the tranquility or composure of") and turbid ("thick or opaque with or as if with roiled sediment").

Synonyms
nerveless
unflappable
unshakable
Choose the Right Synonym for imperturbable

cool, composed, collected, unruffled, imperturbable, nonchalant mean free from agitation or excitement.

cool may imply calmness, deliberateness, or dispassionateness.

kept a cool head
composed implies freedom from agitation as a result of self-discipline or a sedate disposition.

the composed pianist gave a flawless concert
collected implies a concentration of mind that eliminates distractions especially in moments of crisis.

the nurse stayed calm and collected
unruffled suggests apparent serenity and poise in the face of setbacks or in the midst of excitement.

harried but unruffled
imperturbable implies coolness or assurance even under severe provocation.

the speaker remained imperturbable despite the heckling
nonchalant stresses an easy coolness of manner or casualness that suggests indifference or unconcern.

a nonchalant driver
Examples of imperturbable in a Sentence
Although he seems outwardly imperturbable, he can get very angry at times.
the chef was absolutely imperturbable—even when the kitchen caught on fire
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Valeska is the movie’s stabilizing presence, imperturbable even in the face of potential natural disaster.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2025
Standing in the rostrum of the House of Representatives, a gavel in her hand and a look of imperturbable stoicism on her face, Ms. Harris officiated as the two houses of Congress met in joint session to formally count the Electoral College votes for president.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
The team’s droll, imperturbable manager, Dave Roberts, spent much of his summer issuing medical briefings on infirm pitchers.
—Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
Minsky is the very opposite: chipper, imperturbable, and with impeccable manners.
—Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024

Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Late Latin imperturbabilis, from Latin in- + perturbare to perturb

First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of imperturbable was in the 15th century
See more words from the same century