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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective indifferent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of indifferent are aloof, detached, disinterested, incurious, and unconcerned. While all these words mean "not showing or feeling interest," indifferent implies neutrality of attitude from lack of inclination, preference, or prejudice.

indifferent to the dictates of fashion

In what contexts can aloof take the place of indifferent?

Although the words aloof and indifferent have much in common, aloof suggests a cool reserve arising from a sense of superiority or disdain for inferiors or from shyness.

aloof from his coworkers

When could detached be used to replace indifferent?

The synonyms detached and indifferent are sometimes interchangeable, but detached implies an objective attitude achieved through absence of prejudice or selfishness.

observed family gatherings with detached amusement

When can disinterested be used instead of indifferent?

The words disinterested and indifferent can be used in similar contexts, but disinterested implies a circumstantial freedom from concern for personal or especially financial advantage that enables one to judge or advise without bias.

judged by a panel of disinterested observers

When is it sensible to use incurious instead of indifferent?

While the synonyms incurious and indifferent are close in meaning, incurious implies an inability to take a normal interest due to dullness of mind or to self-centeredness.

incurious about the world

When might unconcerned be a better fit than indifferent?

In some situations, the words unconcerned and indifferent are roughly equivalent. However, unconcerned suggests a lack of sensitivity or regard for others' needs or troubles.

unconcerned about the homeless

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 indifferent After all, bosses who are regularly disrespectful, or even indifferent to your well-being and success, also make ineffective managers, experts say. Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025 If the script is a tad heavy-handed in making Clara seem almost indifferent to her mother’s suffering, Touzani is too generous a director not to allow the character some redeeming displays of conscience before the domestic drama plays out. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025 The private remark reinforced a sense, even among conservatives, that the wealthy businessman was an out-of-touch elitist who was ready to write-off about half the country as indifferent to his economic agenda. Philip Elliott, Time, 24 Sep. 2025 Jesús Sánchez followed with another, continuing his brutal introduction to an almost indifferent fan base. Chandler Rome, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for indifferent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indifferent
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, a debonair and nonchalant judge, Roland Brack (Nicholas Pinnock), who has arranged George’s loan for the expensive property, is also dallying with Hedda and plots to use his influence—his power, rather—to tighten their extramarital bond.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Accompanied by a nonchalant guitar performance, dancer and choreographer Dong Jilan, donning a brown velvet dress and having the same long, wavy hair as Sanmao, woke up from a miniature dune and roamed around the set in a highly spiritual and ceremonial fashion.
    Denni Hu, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Overall, the sound quality is comparable to that of a basic Bluetooth speaker—more than satisfactory for an AIO PC.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
  • According to a poll conducted by the company, eight out of 10 users were happy with the experience, while another one in five described it as satisfactory.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Our reviews are impartial and our opinions are our own.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2025
  • In a supporting document filed by Kalshi in the Nevada case in April, Kalshi head of markets Xavier Sottile noted how ErisX, a predecessor to the current sports prediction market craze, previously butted up against the impartial access issue.
    Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • What began as a casual idea—something fun to fill the week after the course’s annual aerification—quickly evolved into a full-scale charitable event.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Turn casual contacts into reliable allies while Mercury harmonizes with Jupiter and Saturn.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s just a decent dude, right there.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The opening sequence — involving a scared little boy whose fear only accelerates during a nightmarish car ride — is a decent bellwether for the first five episodes (which is all that were screened for critics, of the eight total).
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Probitkin said Jefferson Health's goal is to maintain an equitable relationship with UnitedHealthcare with fair reimbursement levels that will benefit patients and enable LVHN to continue providing the highest quality of care, regardless of insurer.
    Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Nikolai Vitti, superintendent of the Detroit Public Schools Community District, wrote that the next mayor can lobby at the state level for more equitable funding for public schools.
    Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The women are uninterested in relitigating what happened.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
  • High school graduates uninterested in traditional campus life view SOAR™ as a flexible, lower-cost alternative.
    Jason Phillips, Freep.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Chelsea have had their fair share of entertainers since making their debut in the tournament — the individuals who can just do something out of the ordinary to make everyone realise they are being treated to a game at the highest level.
    Simon Johnson, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The climate research nonprofit Climate Central now hosts the database and makes this information available to insurers, policy makers, broadcast meteorologists and ordinary citizens.
    Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Indifferent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indifferent. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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