indifference

/ɪnˈdɪfərəns/

Say it: in-DIF-er-ens

1. noun A lack of interest, concern, or sympathy, especially in situations that would normally elicit a reaction.
His indifference to her pleas for help was chilling.
2. noun The quality of being unimportant or of no consequence.
She chose her clothes with an indifference to the latest fashion trends.

📖 Seen in the wild

Her indifference to the suffering of others was truly shocking.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ indifference in a sentence

The report highlighted public indifference to the new recycling program.
He feigned indifference, but I could tell he was hurt by the criticism.
She looked upon the chaos of the city with the cool indifference of a seasoned observer.
What surprised me was not his anger but his complete indifference to the outcome.
The greatest tragedy is the indifference of good people.
In the face of cosmic events, our daily struggles are matters of utter indifference.
The manager's indifference toward employee morale created a toxic work environment.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

apathy unconcern detachment disinterest nonchalance aloofness disregard callousness

apathy · implies a deeper, more total lack of any feeling or motivation, often due to exhaustion or despair.

unconcern · suggests a simple lack of worry, often more casual and less negative than indifference.

detachment · often implies a conscious separation from emotion, sometimes for objectivity or self-protection.

disinterest · means impartiality or a lack of personal stake, which can be a positive quality.

Opposites: concern, interest, passion, empathy, enthusiasm

🌱 Where it comes from

The word comes from the Latin 'indifferentia', from 'in-' (not) and 'differre' (to differ). Its original meaning was 'not different' or 'making no distinction'. Over time, this evolved to mean 'making no difference' in terms of importance, and from there to the modern sense of 'feeling no difference' emotionally.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

complete indifferencefeigned indifferenceindifference to sufferingtreat with indifferencea matter of indifferencean air of indifference

Indifference almost always carries a negative connotation, suggesting a cold or uncaring attitude where concern would be more appropriate. Be careful not to confuse it with 'disinterest', which means impartiality and is often neutral or positive. While an uninterested person is bored, an indifferent person does not care one way or the other, which can be far more hurtful.

Word family: indifferent, indifferently

💬 Quick answers

What does indifference mean?

Indifference is a state of not caring about something. It signifies a lack of interest, concern, or emotional response, often in a situation where one would be expected.

What is the difference between indifference and apathy?

Indifference is a lack of interest or concern, while apathy is a deeper lack of any emotion or motivation whatsoever. Apathy is often more passive and can suggest a state of exhaustion or despair.

Is showing indifference a bad thing?

It is usually seen as a negative trait because it can imply coldness, cruelty, or a lack of empathy. However, in some philosophical contexts, it can refer to a virtuous detachment from things beyond one's control.

What is the adjective for indifference?

The adjective form is 'indifferent'. For example, you could say, 'He was indifferent to the suffering of others.'

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