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dis·in·ter·est | \ (ˌ)dis-ˈin-trəst 
; -ˈin-tə-ˌrest , -tə-rəst, -tərst; -ˈin-ˌtrest \
; -ˈin-tə-ˌrest , -tə-rəst, -tərst; -ˈin-ˌtrest \disinterested; disinteresting; disinterests
Definition of disinterest
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to cause to regard something with no interest or concern
disinterest
nounDefinition of disinterest (Entry 2 of 2)
2 : lack of interest : indifference
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Synonyms & Antonyms for disinterest
Synonyms: Noun
- detachment,
- disinterestedness,
- equity,
- evenhandedness,
- fair-mindedness,
- fairness,
- impartiality,
- justice,
- neutralism,
- neutrality,
- nonpartisanship,
- objectiveness,
- objectivity
Antonyms: Noun
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Examples of disinterest in a Sentence
Noun
His proposal was met with complete disinterest.
since the coach has a son on the team, his disinterest in the selection of a team captain cannot be assumed
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Besides his awesome moves, there was the varying expressions of the onlookers — everything from delight to disinterested.
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Alix Strauss, New York Times, "Wedding Photographers Share Their Favorite Moments," 30 Apr. 2019 Why are so many Japanese disinterested in going beyond their borders?
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Anne Quito, Quartz, "Having the “world’s most powerful passport” is lost on Japan," 18 Dec. 2019 Koala detection dogs need to be disinterested in people, hyper-focused and without a prey drive.
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Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, "Bear the Detection Dog is Sniffing Out and Saving Koalas Injured in Australia's Bushfires," 19 Nov. 2019 With Eriksen disinterested in Manchester United's advances, a switch abroad had seemed most likely, but the closure of the European transfer market means Eriksen will remain at Spurs until at least January.
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SI.com, "Tottenham 'Offer' Christian Eriksen Huge New Contract in Bid to Finally End Transfer Speculation," 13 Sep. 2019 Employees were also doubly disinterested in working for the firm in the future if they had been criticized by a female boss.
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Martin Abel, The Conversation, "Bosses face more discrimination if they are women – from employees of any gender," 17 Oct. 2019 The Yankees were disinterested in hoping starter James Paxton could survive a second look against the heart of Houston’s order, one with a feel for Paxton’s fastball.
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Chandler Rome, Houston Chronicle, "Carlos Correa lifts Astros to walkoff win over Yankees in Game 2," 14 Oct. 2019 Some World of Warcraft fans are in an age demographic commonly regarded on social media as disinterested in games: Baby Boomers.
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Shannon Liao, CNN, "'World of Warcraft Classic' draws on gaming nostalgia," 27 Aug. 2019 New Yorkers are renowned for their ability to ignore people on subways, so being able to draw the interest of people who are world-class talents at being disinterested was something the Felice Brothers had to learn.
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Chuck Yarborough, cleveland.com, "Felice Brothers continue to explore social landscape with new album, ‘Undress,’ and a Grog Shop gig," 19 Aug. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun And Innate was obscure in biotech circles, a penny stock whose press releases and milestones were met with disinterest from mainstream analysts and indifference by the market.
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Damian Garde, STAT, "Former Rep. Chris Collins sentenced to 26 months in prison in biotech insider trading scheme," 17 Jan. 2020 In a handful of states, the proposals already seem stalled, stymied by inattention or disinterest by the most powerful figures in the state governments.
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Alan Blinder, New York Times, "After California Law, Statehouses Push to Expand Rights of College Athletes," 13 Jan. 2020 The Saudis have faced a fair bit of disinterest in marketing the Aramco IPO to the West.
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Adrian Croft, Fortune, "Why Saudi Arabia Might be Having Seller’s Remorse Over the Imminent Saudi Aramco IPO," 30 Nov. 2019 Sullivan-Leonard is the first legislative incumbent to confirm her disinterest in the 2020 election.
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James Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, "Wasilla representative says she will not run for re-election," 7 Jan. 2020 The president’s disinterest in foreign affairs is a reflection of his countrymen’s.
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Matthew Continetti, National Review, "Present at the Demolition," 14 Dec. 2019 My disinterest in the details of my existence left little personal material to work with, just a list of adventures.
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Ephrat Livni, Quartz at Work, "Would you dare take a talent assessment inspired by the testing methods of the IDF?," 25 Nov. 2019 In 2018, in the gubernatorial race, Kay Ivey shunned all debates, on one evening famously attending a Birmingham Barons baseball game while her GOP rivals were at a candidate forum in the city, fuming at her disinterest in joining them.
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al, "Ivey shunned 2018 debates; what will 2020 GOP Senate candidates do?," 29 Sep. 2019 Though the hiring of Chip Kelly as head coach was supposed to invigorate the 0-3 Bruins, disinterest is so rampant that the school can barely give tickets away.
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New York Times, "In Pac-12 Football: Empty Seats, TV Woes and Recruiting Gaps," 20 Sep. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disinterest.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Time Traveler for disinterest
The first known use of disinterest was in 1612
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