indifference

noun

Synonyms of indifference
1
: the quality, state, or fact of being indifferent
was shocked by their indifference to the issue
struggles that were treated with indifference by the government
2
a
: absence of compulsion to or toward one thing or another
observed with cool indifference
b
archaic : lack of difference or distinction between two or more things

Synonyms of indifference

Examples of indifference in a Sentence

She was amazed that some people could watch the trial with indifference. She watched them with a cool indifference.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Sly and the Family Stone would join those bands on the charts soon enough, but their debut was released just after the Summer of Love to public indifference. Al Shipley, SPIN, 7 July 2026 Fairbanks then walked Max Muncy, who moved to second on defensive indifference, and Heim delivered a two-run single. Miami Herald, 6 July 2026 Questioning, if not rejecting, established Christian doctrine, Ahab also comes to regard Moby Dick as the outward and visible sign, the physical embodiment of the indifference or, worse, utter malignity inherent in the universe. Literary Hub, 6 July 2026 Now the push for justice in the face of federal indifference represents another challenge to the president’s vision. Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for indifference

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of indifference was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indifference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indifference. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

indifference

noun
in·​dif·​fer·​ence in-ˈdif-ərn(t)s How to pronounce indifference (audio)
-ˈdif-(ə-)rən(t)s
1
: lack of feeling for or against something
2
: lack of importance
a matter of indifference to them

Medical Definition

: the quality, state, or fact of being indifferent
a schizophrenic reaction accompanied by apathy and indifference

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