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

2

a

: absence of compulsion to or toward one thing or another

b

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

Synonyms

• 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

And yet, through the brown teeth and the raggedy clothing and the indifference of the opposite sex, Tupac found someone within the long gray hallways whose presence would prove life-changing. —Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025

That attitude of indifference can be a significant advantage in the workplace. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025

Because the results came with an all-too-familiar indifference from her doctor. —Megan Feringa, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025

Corigliano wrote his symphony in the late nineteen-eighties, to lament friends who had died of AIDS and to decry indifference to those deaths. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 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