Synonyms of apathetic

apathetic

adjective

ˌa-pə-ˈthe-tik 

1

as in nonchalant

having or showing a lack of interest or concern

people of conscience cannot be apathetic about the great suffering in this world

Synonyms & Similar Words

• nonchalant
• casual
• uninterested
• disinterested
• indifferent
• complacent
• unconcerned
• incurious
• careless
• detached
• stoic
• perfunctory
• insouciant
• uncurious
• calm
• numb
• aloof
• insensible
• cold
• callous
• lukewarm
• halfhearted
• unemotional
• tepid
• insensitive
• dispassionate
• pococurante
• lethargic
• stoical
• unfeeling
• listless
• phlegmatic
• remote
• impassive
• mindless
• heedless
• hard-hearted
• stolid
• unimpressed
• impervious
• cool

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• interested
• concerned
• aware
• conscientious
• attentive
• mindful
• sensitive
• passionate
• warm
• zealous
• ardent
• fervent
• heedful
• keen
• caring
• warmhearted

2

as in stoic

not feeling or showing emotion

gave nothing more than an apathetic gaze to his interrogators

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stoic
• stoical
• bland
• calm
• passionless
• numb
• phlegmatic
• emotionless
• impassive
• unemotional
• stolid
• enigmatical
• detached
• enigmatic
• undemonstrative
• affectless
• impassible
• empty
• dry
• cold-blooded
• cold
• unmoved
• collected
• dispassionate
• reserved
• composed
• blank
• indifferent
• aloof
• unflappable
• cool
• imperturbable
• wooden
• unconcerned
• expressionless
• unresponsive
• taciturn
• inexpressive
• vacant
• impersonal
• thoughtless
• deadpan
• reticent
• objective
• inscrutable
• pitiless
• inconsiderate
• unsentimental
• unfeeling
• bloodless
• stone-faced
• impenetrable
• hard-hearted
• straight-faced
• insensible

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• passionate
• emotional
• impassioned
• fervent
• enthusiastic
• vehement
• demonstrative
• fervid
• zealous
• ardent
• passional
• fiery
• sentimental
• burning
• sympathetic
• flaming
• dramatic
• red-hot
• mushy
• glowing
• melodramatic
• hot-blooded
• mawkish
• blazing
• responsive
• compassionate
• reactive
• histrionic
• sensitive
• warm-blooded
• gung ho
• maudlin
• overemotional
• perfervid
• overheated
• gushing

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

Recent Examples of apathetic

Most Canadians have apathetic, if not negative, feelings about the monarchy, an institution that seems increasingly distant as the country’s cultural links to Great Britain grow weaker. —Stephen Maher, Time, 27 May 2025

Now, Europe is faced with a U.S. government that is at best apathetic and at worst antagonistic and that appears set on unilaterally shifting the burden of the continent’s security onto its European allies, who must reorganize to fill the gaps. —Sophia Besch, Foreign Affairs, 5 May 2025

No one wants to go on bad dates; few people think of themselves as apathetic conversationalists. —Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 3 May 2025

The second sees the lead detectives on the case (Ashley Walters and Faye Marsay) trying to get more information about Jamie and his victim at a chaotic middle school, the panning camera capturing apathetic teachers, kids glued to their phones and violent words and behavior. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025