Synonyms of apathy

apathy

noun

ˈa-pə-thē 

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

• numbness
• impassivity
• impassiveness
• emptiness
• insensibility
• phlegm
• coldness
• detachment
• emotionlessness
• indifference
• callousness
• heartlessness
• affectlessness
• obduracy
• hardness
• deadness
• coolness
• insensitivity
• blankness
• imperturbability
• unconcern
• vacancy
• bloodlessness
• callosity
• stiffness
• hard-heartedness
• aloofness
• halfheartedness
• woodenness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• emotion
• feeling
• sympathy
• sensibility
• compassion
• pity
• empathy
• sensitivity
• understanding
• responsiveness
• receptivity
• warmth
• tenderness
• hysteria
• solicitude
• melodrama
• receptiveness
• hysterics
• vehemence
• histrionics
• hand-wringing

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

• disregard
• indifference
• unconcern
• nonchalance
• insouciance
• casualness
• complacence
• torpor
• disinterestedness
• incuriosity
• lethargy
• carelessness
• lukewarmness
• unawareness
• recklessness
• tepidity
• incuriousness
• heedlessness
• coldness
• callousness
• tepidness
• detachment
• aloofness
• dispassion
• stoicism
• halfheartedness
• listlessness
• insensitivity
• impassivity
• impassiveness
• stolidity
• hardness
• phlegm
• callosity
• hard-heartedness
• bloodlessness
• cool

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• interest
• concern
• awareness
• regard
• attention
• curiosity
• attentiveness
• sensitivity
• prejudice
• keenness
• bias
• conscientiousness
• desire
• partiality
• zeal
• warmth
• heedfulness
• passion
• vehemence
• ardor
• warmheartedness
• fervency

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of apathy

The council’s decision to shelve so many reforms will only fuel public apathy and distrust, said Ross Weistroffer, an organizer with Fair Rep LA Coalition, a group of nonprofits that pushes for good government and fair representation. — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026

The league has taken steps to address tanking, but curbing that problem alone won’t stop injury issues that are just as much a part of the growing apathy that many fans feel towards the regular season. — Nick Friedell, New York Times, 17 June 2026

Persistent low energy, irritability, brain fog and apathy toward daily life are the clearest signals that a structured wellness experience could help. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 10 June 2026

There’s an element of voter apathy due to citizens feeling let down by politicians. — ABC News, 1 June 2026

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