apathy

[ap-uh-thee]

noun

plural

apathies 

1. absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement.

   Synonyms: coolness
   Antonyms: fervor, ardor

2. lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting.

3. Stoicism.,  Also apatheia, apathia freedom from emotion of any kind.

apathy

/ ˈæpəθɪ /

noun

1. absence of interest in or enthusiasm for things generally considered interesting or moving

2. absence of emotion

Word History and Origins

Origin of apathy¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from French or directly from Latin apathīa, from Greek apátheia “insensibility to suffering,” equivalent to apathe- (stem of apathḗs ) “unfeeling” ( a- a- ⁶ + pathe-, variant stem of páthos pathos ) + -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of apathy¹

C17: from Latin, from Greek apatheia, from apathēs without feeling, from _a- ¹ + pathos feeling

Synonym Study

See indifference.

Example Sentences

The suburban apathy that has kept too many Southern Californians on the sidelines as immigration agents sweep into our cities was nowhere to be felt in Little Village.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This election turnout was 67.9%, the lowest in a national election in decades, representing widespread apathy with politicians of all stripes.

Read more on BBC

But Alain -- not his real name as he did not want to be identified -- said resignation and political apathy hung over parts of the bellwether electoral constituency.

Read more on Barron's

I worked hard but underperformed—thanks to misalignment, not apathy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The only results were brutal retaliation within the walls and callous apathy from state officials.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• indifference 
• insensitivity www.thesaurus.com
• lethargy 

When To Use

What does apathy mean?

Apathy is the state of not caring.The word is especially used to refer to a lack of interest or concern about things, especially those that others find important or exciting.It can also mean the absence or suppression of emotion or passion.Apathy often means about the same thing as indifference, but it’s more often used in the context of someone’s lack of action when action is needed.The adjective apathetic is used to describe someone in such a state.The word apathy is typically used in a negative way to criticize such a state or attitude as being irresponsible or insensitive. When someone is accused of apathy, it usually means the person making the accusation thinks the apathetic person should care more—or at all.Example: The apathy of your generation is astounding—it’s like none of you care about any of the big problems in the world!