indifference

[in-dif-er-uhns, -dif-ruhns] / ɪnˈdɪf ər əns, -ˈdɪf rəns /

NOUN

absence of feeling, interest

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alienation apathy callousness carelessness disdain disinterest disregard inattention inertia insensitivity lack negligence nonchalance

STRONG

aloofness coldness coolness detachment disinterestedness dispassion equity heedlessness immunity impartiality impassiveness impassivity insouciance isolationism lethargy listlessness neutrality noninterference objectivity stoicism torpor unconcern unmindfulness

WEAK

cold shoulder cold-bloodedness

Antonyms

STRONGEST

attention esteem respect

STRONG

bias

WEAK

caring compassion concern feeling interest involvement regard sympathy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Wide-eyed consumption of all the horrors we encounter on an hourly basis may look like attention, but it isn’t so different from indifference.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

But the real danger is indifference—and indifference is a product of not permitting oneself to turn away in reflection.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Or bulldoze it, removing what stands as nothing more than a symbol of felonious indifference.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

The indifference only strayed into anger when some Wales fans booed forward Brennan Johnson when he came on as a second-half substitute.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Then again, I suspect that Julian’s cheery, Socratic indifference to matters of life and death kept him from feeling too sad about anything for very long.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Vocabulary lists containing indifference

A Raisin in the Sun

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"The Perils of Indifference," Vocabulary from the speech

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Hamilton

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