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Synonym Chooser

How is the word apathetic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of apathetic are impassive, phlegmatic, stoic, and stolid. While all these words mean "unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion," apathetic may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness.

charitable appeals met an apathetic response

Where would impassive be a reasonable alternative to apathetic?

The meanings of impassive and apathetic largely overlap; however, impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression.

met the news with an impassive look

When can phlegmatic be used instead of apathetic?

In some situations, the words phlegmatic and apathetic are roughly equivalent. However, phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse.

a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

When might stoic be a better fit than apathetic?

The words stoic and apathetic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stoic implies an apparent indifference to pleasure or especially to pain often as a matter of principle or self-discipline.

was resolutely stoic even in adversity

When is stolid a more appropriate choice than apathetic?

The words stolid and apathetic can be used in similar contexts, but stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity.

stolid workers wedded to routine

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of apathetic Compared with their cognitively average peers, super-agers are the opposite of apathetic, says Gefen; they are actively engaged with other people and activities. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 12 Aug. 2025 Now, business leaders, workers and civilians alike have all become apathetic toward their own safety, innocently forgetting that there are measures keeping them protected every single day. Jim Pauley, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025 Our narrator is Alex, an apathetic and depraved teen gang leader who is as pleased by violence as he is enthralled with classical music. Robert English, EW.com, 30 July 2025 President Donald Trump's return to the White House has left many progressive Americans feeling disillusioned, resigned, and apathetic. Time, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for apathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apathetic
Adjective
  • No wonder Trump is nonchalant about shutdown.
    Chris Brennan, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Is this the most nonchalant big play of the high school season so far?
    Grace Raynor, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Schauffele, the stoic American leader, calmly clapped out of respect.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The most devastating moments come when the anguished player gives way to the smiling father and the stoic partner.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Team it with ballet flats or sneakers for a casual day of apple-picking or tailgating this fall, or dress it up with tights and boots for holiday celebrations and other special occasions.
    Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
  • The teal stood out in the parade of super-casual fits.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Sadly, our country’s leaders appear to be wholly uninterested in raising more generations of empathetic children, much less helping immigrant children and families to feel safe and welcomed in their new homeland.
    Priscilla Blossom, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
  • But the Tigers look uninterested in taking a step back after losing quarterback Brady Cook and receiver Luther Burden III.
    David Ubben, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Apathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apathetic. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on apathetic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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