disinterest

1 of 2

verb

dis·​in·​ter·​est (ˌ)dis-ˈin-trəst How to pronounce disinterest (audio) -ˈin-tə-ˌrest How to pronounce disinterest (audio)
-tə-rəst,
-tərst;
-ˈin-ˌtrest
disinterested; disinteresting; disinterests

transitive verb

: to cause to regard something with no interest or concern

disinterest

2 of 2

noun

1
2
: lack of interest : indifference

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The Trump administration’s disinterest in actual public safety was demonstrated yet again in a lawsuit filed the same day that Hochul was testifying challenging a New York State policy prohibiting ICE arrests in courthouses. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025 Communicating the need for focused time helps avoid misinterpretations of disinterest or disengagement. Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025 Trump’s transactional style, his disdain for multilateralism and his near-total disinterest in Southeast Asia have left regional leaders scrambling for relevance. Malaysia, meanwhile, has been diversifying further from Washington. Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025 Up to this point, AI music has been broadly met with disinterest from the public. Sheldon Pearce, NPR, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for disinterest

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1612, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disinterest was in 1612

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disinterest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disinterest. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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