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

The Supreme Court will revisit a decades-old decision − which was already significantly narrowed by the court − that allows federal prisoners to seek damages for deliberate indifference to a serious medical condition. —Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 22 June 2026

On a visit to the capital last week, UN Secretary-General António Guterres decried global indifference to the crisis. —Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2026

Easy moralizing would be wrong, but moral indifference might be impossible. —David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026

Young workers have adapted to instability, ambiguity, automation, debt and institutional indifference for years now. —Jennie Glazer, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

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