dis·in·ter·est
(ˌ)dis-ˈin-trəst 
-ˈin-tə-ˌrest
-ˈin-tə-ˌrest
-tə-rəst,
-tərst;
-ˈin-ˌtrest
disinterested; disinteresting; disinterests
: to cause to regard something with no interest or concern
2
: lack of interest : indifference
Synonyms
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
Jazmin Towe, Parents, 23 Feb. 2024
When to seek additional help: If your child is exhibiting signs of problematic behavior — including the inability to function, a fear of going to school, disinterest in doing after-school activities, a drop in grades, a change in appetite or sleep pattern — both Drs.
—Amy Capetta, Good Housekeeping, 31 May 2022
Like the lack of support given to Black and brown communities early in the pandemic, which eventually contributes to disinterest in or distrust of the vaccines.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Mar. 2022
He has been widely described as a maverick researcher disinterested in personal recognition who simply wanted to give babies to those who couldn’t make them on their own.
—Osagie K. Obasogie, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2013
In that October 2015 Benghazi hearing, Congressman Pompeo depicted Clinton as an aloof partisan, disinterested in the welfare of State Department employees.
—Garrett M. Graff, Wired, 21 May 2020
Jeff Okudah is either disinterested or didn’t want much to do with Bryant.
—Ellis L. Williams, cleveland, 6 May 2020
Friendship with them—disinterested or otherwise—seemed impossible.
—B. Pietras, Longreads, 27 Apr. 2020
Once the aliens arrive like a summer storm in bolts of lightning, the tension never lets up as divorced and disinterested dad Tom Cruise rises to the occasion to keep his kids alive.
—Jim Kiest, ExpressNews.com, 12 May 2020
Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
One who combines a commitment to craft, a disinterest in fame, a banked sense of danger and a natural charisma?
—Ty Burr, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
Anything too involved can lead to disinterest or frustration.
—Christin Perry, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024
Elba was voted as the top choice by fans in a poll conducted by Lottoland, an online gambling firm, but the actor has previously expressed disinterest in the role when asked about it, especially in regards to the discourse surrounding race and his casting.
—Anna Gordon, TIME, 19 Mar. 2024
Elordi, who is riding the dual high of Saltburn and Priscilla, is slightly more franchise averse, having recently expressed his disinterest in playing a superhero.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 26 Nov. 2023
This fact, along with Putin’s disinterest in the nitty-gritty of governance, means there is ever more room for improvisation and freelancing at all levels of the state apparatus.
—Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2024
Here's another example of Oscar’s disinterest in exceptional performances that happen to be in horror movies.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024
What has been billed as a decisive fight for democracy is taking place within a hazy zone of disinterest.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
These changes can include loss of appetite, alterations in sleep patterns, disinterest in regular hobbies and activities, and difficulty concentrating or staying focused.
—Jazmin Towe, Parents, 23 Feb. 2024
When to seek additional help: If your child is exhibiting signs of problematic behavior — including the inability to function, a fear of going to school, disinterest in doing after-school activities, a drop in grades, a change in appetite or sleep pattern — both Drs.
—Amy Capetta, Good Housekeeping, 31 May 2022
Like the lack of support given to Black and brown communities early in the pandemic, which eventually contributes to disinterest in or distrust of the vaccines.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Mar. 2022
He has been widely described as a maverick researcher disinterested in personal recognition who simply wanted to give babies to those who couldn’t make them on their own.
—Osagie K. Obasogie, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2013
In that October 2015 Benghazi hearing, Congressman Pompeo depicted Clinton as an aloof partisan, disinterested in the welfare of State Department employees.
—Garrett M. Graff, Wired, 21 May 2020
Jeff Okudah is either disinterested or didn’t want much to do with Bryant.
—Ellis L. Williams, cleveland, 6 May 2020
Friendship with them—disinterested or otherwise—seemed impossible.
—B. Pietras, Longreads, 27 Apr. 2020
Once the aliens arrive like a summer storm in bolts of lightning, the tension never lets up as divorced and disinterested dad Tom Cruise rises to the occasion to keep his kids alive.
—Jim Kiest, ExpressNews.com, 12 May 2020
Noun
Prior to the film’s release, Gosling had candidly explained how his daughters’ disinterest in the Ken doll originally sparked his interest in the role.
—Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
One who combines a commitment to craft, a disinterest in fame, a banked sense of danger and a natural charisma?
—Ty Burr, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
Anything too involved can lead to disinterest or frustration.
—Christin Perry, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024
Elba was voted as the top choice by fans in a poll conducted by Lottoland, an online gambling firm, but the actor has previously expressed disinterest in the role when asked about it, especially in regards to the discourse surrounding race and his casting.
—Anna Gordon, TIME, 19 Mar. 2024
Elordi, who is riding the dual high of Saltburn and Priscilla, is slightly more franchise averse, having recently expressed his disinterest in playing a superhero.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 26 Nov. 2023
This fact, along with Putin’s disinterest in the nitty-gritty of governance, means there is ever more room for improvisation and freelancing at all levels of the state apparatus.
—Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2024
Here's another example of Oscar’s disinterest in exceptional performances that happen to be in horror movies.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024
What has been billed as a decisive fight for democracy is taking place within a hazy zone of disinterest.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disinterest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Disinterest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disinterest. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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