Indifference: meaning, definitions and examples
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indifference
[ ɪnˈdɪf(ə)r(ə)ns ]
feeling
Lack of interest, concern, or sympathy. The state of being neutral or uninvolved in a situation. The quality of showing no emotion or concern.
Synonyms
apathy, detachment, disinterest, unconcern.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
indifference |
Use when someone does not care about or feel any interest in a particular issue, event, or activity.
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apathy |
Use when someone shows a lack of emotion, enthusiasm, or concern, often implying a deeper, more pervasive lack of interest or motivation.
|
unconcern |
Use when someone is not worried or bothered by something, often indicating a casual or carefree attitude.
|
disinterest |
Use when someone has no interest in something, often implying a lack of bias or partiality.
|
detachment |
Use when someone maintains an emotionally distant and objective standpoint, often implying a deliberate effort to remain uninvolved.
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Examples of usage
- She was surprised by his indifference towards her problems.
- The politician's indifference to the suffering of his people was shocking.
- His indifference to the outcome of the game was evident in his lack of reaction.
- I was hurt by her indifference towards my feelings.
- The teacher's indifference towards the students' struggles was disheartening.
Translations
Translations of the word "indifference" in other languages:
🇵🇹 indiferença
🇮🇳 उदासीनता
🇩🇪 Gleichgültigkeit
🇮🇩 ketidakpedulian
🇺🇦 байдужість
🇵🇱 obojętność
🇯🇵 無関心 (むかんしん)
🇫🇷 indifférence
🇪🇸 indiferencia
🇹🇷 kayıtsızlık
🇰🇷 무관심 (mugansim)
🇸🇦 اللامبالاة
🇨🇿 lhostejnost
🇸🇰 ľahostajnosť
🇨🇳 冷漠 (lěngmò)
🇸🇮 brezbrižnost
🇮🇸 afskiptaleysi
🇰🇿 немқұрайдылық
🇬🇪 უყურადღებობა
🇦🇿 laqeydlik
🇲🇽 indiferencia
Etymology
The word 'indifference' originated from the Latin word 'indifferentia,' which means 'lack of difference' or 'neutrality.' It entered the English language in the late 14th century. Over time, 'indifference' has come to represent a lack of interest or concern in various contexts, reflecting a sense of detachment or apathy.
See also: differ, difference, differences, different, differential, differentiation, differently, differing, indifferent, indifferentiable.