indifference

[in-dif-er-uhns, -dif-ruhns]

noun

1. lack of interest or concern.

   We were shocked by their indifference toward poverty.

   Antonyms: responsiveness, eagerness

2. unimportance; little or no concern.

   Whether or not to attend the party is a matter of indifference to him.

3. the quality or condition of being indifferent.

4. mediocre quality; mediocrity.

5. Baseball.,  the absence of effort by the defense to prevent a stolen base.

   For the second time this inning, a Brewer has taken second base on indifference.

indifference

/ ɪnˈdɪfrəns, -fərəns /

noun

1. the fact or state of being indifferent; lack of care or concern

2. lack of quality; mediocrity

3. lack of importance; insignificance

4. See principle of indifference

Other Word Forms

• superindifference noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of indifference¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, variant of indifferency, from Latin indifferentia; indifferent, -ence, -ency

Synonym Study

Indifference, unconcern, listlessness, apathy, insensibility all imply lack of feeling. Indifference denotes an absence of feeling or interest; unconcern, an absence of concern or solicitude, a calm or cool indifference in the face of what might be expected to cause uneasiness or apprehension; listlessness, an absence of inclination or interest, a languid indifference to what is going on about one; apathy, a profound intellectual and emotional indifference suggestive of faculties either naturally sluggish or dulled by emotional disturbance, mental illness, or prolonged sickness; insensibility, an absence of capacity for feeling or of susceptibility to emotional influences.

Example Sentences

I ask Ludmila why that is: is it fear, indifference, or because of support for the authorities?

Read more on BBC

Many suspect that the once well-connected Jewish community in New York will likely face indifference, if not open hostility, from City Hall if Zohran Mamdani is elected.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That outcome required bold investments, brilliant salesmanship and, in some cases, disregard for vulnerable players and indifference to loyal fans.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

When she finally ends the relationship, she's bewildered and wounded by his indifference, wondering over and over, "why won't you beg for me?"

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In the course of his research, Mr. Quinones came to admire the independence of tuba players, the way they remain undaunted in the face of the “disdain or indifference” of their peers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• alienation 
• apathy 
• callousness 
• carelessness 
• disdain 
• disinterest 
• disregard 
• inattention 
• inertia 
• insensitivity www.thesaurus.com
• lack 
• negligence 
• nonchalance