indifference

noun

in·​dif·​fer·​ence in-ˈdi-f(ə-)rən(t)s 

-fərn(t)s

1

: the quality, state, or fact of being indifferent

was shocked by their indifference to the issue

struggles that were treated with indifference by the government

2

a

: absence of compulsion to or toward one thing or another

observed with cool indifference

b

archaic : lack of difference or distinction between two or more things

Synonyms of indifference

• disregard

Examples of indifference in a Sentence

She was amazed that some people could watch the trial with indifference.

She watched them with a cool indifference.

Recent Examples on the Web

In its transcendence and purity, Pereira’s museum implied an indifference to the social concerns that had, for instance, informed Bo Bardi’s creation of MASP. —Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026

An infuriating drama about the indifference of power to the individual, Paths of Glory is both a war movie and a courtroom thriller. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025

The camera lingers on Linda as the assessment sinks in, her teary-eyed embarrassment quickly tempered into polite, but shaky, indifference. —Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 26 Dec. 2025

In his homily, Leo framed Christmas as a call to recognize human fragility and respond with care rather than indifference, repeatedly returning to the theme of peace as something already present but easily ignored. —Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 25 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for indifference

• difference

Kids Definition

indifference

noun

in·​dif·​fer·​ence in-ˈdif-ərn(t)s 

-ˈdif-(ə-)rən(t)s

1

: lack of feeling for or against something

2

: lack of importance

a matter of indifference to them

Medical Definition

indifference

noun

in·​dif·​fer·​ence in-ˈdif-ərn(t)s, -ˈdif-(ə-)rən(t)s 

: the quality, state, or fact of being indifferent

a schizophrenic reaction accompanied by apathy and indifference