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

In the lead-up to this summer’s FIFA men’s World Cup, critics complained about prices, domestic politics, international geopolitics, supposed fan apathy, logistical hurdles and more. — Andrés Martinez, Washington Post, 1 July 2026

Does this show reveal more to me how the most vulnerable amongst us are suffering as a result of disinterest, apathy, greed? — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2026

This matches a symptom of Alzheimer’s in men, who are likely to display signs of apathy, said Jaime Ross, a neuroscientist and the research paper’s senior author. — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026

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

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