1
as in numbness
a lack of emotion or emotional expressiveness
the apathy of the people of that war-torn country comes from their having seen too many horrors
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disregard
lack of interest or concern
her poor grades are proof enough of her apathy concerning all matters academic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of apathy
And a habit of dismissing frustration as apathy rather than recognizing it as exhaustion.
—
Christopher Bellingham, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
San José, Costa Rica — Conservative populist Laura Fernández claimed victory in Costa Rica’s presidential race, with early results also pointing to her ruling party securing a majority in an election overshadowed by crime and political apathy.
—Djenane Villanueva, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Despite all indicators pointing to apathy, Amazon hasn’t held back.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
Once viewed as mere support cells for neurons, astrocytes are now thought to help tune brain circuits and thereby control overall brain state or mood — say, our level of alertness, anxiousness, or apathy.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apathy
Christopher Bellingham, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
San José, Costa Rica — Conservative populist Laura Fernández claimed victory in Costa Rica’s presidential race, with early results also pointing to her ruling party securing a majority in an election overshadowed by crime and political apathy.
—Djenane Villanueva, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Despite all indicators pointing to apathy, Amazon hasn’t held back.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026
Once viewed as mere support cells for neurons, astrocytes are now thought to help tune brain circuits and thereby control overall brain state or mood — say, our level of alertness, anxiousness, or apathy.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apathy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apathy
Noun
-
Rather than involving the wrist’s median nerve, the ulnar nerve in the elbow is compressed, resulting in numbness and tingling in some fingers along with aching pain in the elbow.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
This is just one in a series of rituals designed to liven up the tedium of wealth, just another game in service of manipulating others while pushing back against an all-encompassing numbness.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The lawsuit alleges that Abrazo staff displayed a conscious disregard for Kaelen’s physical safety and well-being.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The Germans ruled here with complete disregard for common decency.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And with the proliferation of small presses and the ascendance of self publishing as viable, if less expeditious or prestigious strategies for writers, even the indifference of mainstream publishers is not always the final word.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
-
When told that Montreal is now the new official Guinness titleholder, though, Pavlopoulos expressed cool indifference, pointing out that therein lies a key difference in the tale of two cities.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In a city willing to displace a community garden or a newsstand to claw back a few extra feet, the Armory’s yawning, epochal emptiness seems like poking through your medicine cabinet and finding an alternate universe behind it.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Not a feeling of exhaustion, but an emptiness.—
Kelly Ehlers,
Rolling Stone,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In just the last week, two men had fainted from heat stroke, and another had coughed up a smear of bloody phlegm.—
Kanak Kapur,
New Yorker,
28 Dec. 2025
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Symptoms may include: irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; coughing; phlegm; chest tightness; and shortness of breath.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apathy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apathy. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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