stone-still
Absolutely without movement
Stone-still describes absolute motionlessness, the kind of frozen posture a person or animal holds when trying not to be noticed or when startled into immobility.
The compound emphasizes the quality of stone—cold, heavy, utterly without movement—to intensify the stillness beyond what still alone conveys.
The deer stood stone-still at the edge of the clearing.
It functions as both adjective and adverb: He sat stone-still or remained stone-still for several minutes.
Lacking all movement
- frozenSolidified by extreme cold
- immobileUnable to shift
- rigidUnable to bend
- stationaryNot in motion
unmoving · rooted · paralyzed · petrified · statuesque · fixed · locked · anchored
Carefully attentive, observant
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- poisedCalm and controlled
- attentivePaying close notice
vigilant · focused · listening · anticipating · breathless · hushed · silent · expectant
Placed at midpoint
- peacefulFree from disturbance
- sereneUntroubled and composed
- tranquilCalm and untroubled
- contemplativeInclined to deep thought
zen · mindful · grounded · present · quieted · settled · restful · meditative
Uncomplaining endurer of hardship
- composedCalm and self-possessed
- unflappableImpossible to disturb
- impassiveWithout visible emotion
- expressionlessShowing no feeling
deadpan · blank · controlled · unmoved · calm · collected · steely · poker-faced
motionless
Lacking all movement
stationary · unmoving · rooted · paralyzed · petrified · statuesque · fixed · locked · anchored · planted
watchful
Carefully attentive, observant
attentive · vigilant · focused · listening · anticipating · breathless · hushed · silent · expectant · tense
centered
Placed at midpoint
contemplative · zen · mindful · grounded · present · quieted · settled · restful · meditative · absorbed
stoic
Uncomplaining endurer of hardship
- composedCalm and self-possessed
- unflappableImpossible to disturb
- impassiveWithout visible emotion
expressionless · deadpan · blank · controlled · unmoved · calm · collected · steely · poker-faced · detached
still, stone, stony, stoned, stillness, cornerstone, stone-ground, touchstone, milestones