indifference

noun

in·dif·fer·ence | \ in-ˈdi-fərn(t)s

, -f(ə-)rən(t)s\

Definition of indifference

1 : the quality, state, or fact of being indifferent

2a archaic : lack of difference or distinction between two or more things

b : absence of compulsion to or toward one thing or another

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about indifference

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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 world’s appetite for pasta and pizza, plus Italians’ relative indifference to other cuisines, give the country a $168bn supper surplus. — The Economist, "Which countries dominate the world’s dinner tables?," 23 Aug. 2019 Their faces nearly always look, not to put too fine a point on it, dumb—bearing out Renoir’s indifference to the women as individuals with inner lives. — Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, "Renoir’s Problem Nudes," 19 Aug. 2019 The only real conspiracy here is the ageless one between and among prison guards and jail officials who too often treat at-risk inmates with callous disregard and deliberate indifference. — Andrew Cohen, The New Republic, "The Completely Predictable Death of Jeffrey Epstein," 11 Aug. 2019 Protesters say the leaked text messages between Rosselló and his allies expose a reprehensible indifference to Hurricane Maria victims, as well as alarming instances of bigotry and sexism. — Gina Martinez, Time, "Some of Puerto Rico's Biggest Stars Have Joined Protests Against the Governor. Here's What to Know," 18 July 2019 His seeming indifference to the human world might have made his character a challenge for another biographer to penetrate. — Scott F. Parker | For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive.com, "Portrait of a Portland salmon conservationist is intriguing and inspiring," 11 July 2019 This indifference to anything in their way makes them ideal for astronomers hoping to understand the extreme environments that can produce them and other interesting but easily blocked particles, like cosmic rays and extremely energetic light. — Bill Andrews, Discover Magazine, "State of Science: Neutrinos Provide a New Way to Probe the Cosmos," 1 Jan. 2019 On July 15, 1968, Bowler spotted charcoal and bone fragments by Mungo’s shoreline, but the news was greeted with indifference back at ANU. — David Maurice Smith, Smithsonian, "A 42,000-Year-Old Man Finally Goes Home," 23 Aug. 2019 Trump underscored his indifference to democracy Tuesday on Twitter. — E.j. Dionne Jr., The Mercury News, "Dionne: Trump’s China policy focuses on trade, yet ignores our values," 15 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'indifference.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.