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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Monsoon rains repeatedly destroy their shelter, and the city offers them little beyond hostility and indifference. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026 The Ridges were as much victims as Ross and the Cherokee that moved were, both were ramshackled by white nationalistic policies and indifference from the government. Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026 Kaepernick jolted the sports world from a state of indifference. Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Institutional indifference and erasure Fast forward to today, and that defensive posture has hardened into absolute institutional erasure. Kimmie Gordon, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 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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