indifference

noun

in·​dif·​fer·​ence in-ˈdi-f(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce indifference (audio)
-fərn(t)s
1
: the quality, state, or fact of being indifferent
2
a
: absence of compulsion to or toward one thing or another
b
archaic : lack of difference or distinction between two or more things

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 Persia Nelson, a woman in her mid-20s, has been charged with second-degree murder committed with depraved indifference, Schenectady Police Chief Eric Clifford said at the briefing, which was broadcasted by CBS6 Albany. Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024 The only upside to the Academy’s indifference is that Anderson didn’t have to waste time on an awards campaign. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 There, my life was as loose as water — its direction influenced only by my indifference. Cathleen Calkins, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Dorsey wasn’t sold on the idea, and his indifference was shared by several other senior members of Twitter’s team and board. Kurt Wagner, Fortune, 21 Feb. 2024 As Major League Soccer’s lockout of its referees began Sunday, after news broke on Saturday that the Professional Soccer Referees Association rejected a tentative agreement with the Professional Referees Organization on Saturday, the attitude among many fans was indifference — or worse. Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024 The sculptures protest government repression, deaths blamed on bureaucratic or corporate indifference, pervasive violence against women in a machista culture. Luis Antonio Rojas, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024 Perceptions of exclusion or bias—or even indifference—prompt them to take their business elsewhere. Michael D. Brown, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 But the Netanyahu government’s indifference to the deaths of Gazan civilians — even apart from simple morality, or the question of war crimes — makes Hamas’ survival more likely. Trudy Rubin, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indifference.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of indifference was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near indifference

Cite this Entry

“Indifference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indifference. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

indifference

noun
in·​dif·​fer·​ence in-ˈdif-ərn(t)s How to pronounce indifference (audio)
-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 How to pronounce indifference (audio)
: the quality, state, or fact of being indifferent
a schizophrenic reaction accompanied by apathy and indifference

More from Merriam-Webster on indifference

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