apathy
Americannoun
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absence of interest in or enthusiasm for things generally considered interesting or moving
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absence of emotion
Usage
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!
Related Words
See indifference.
Etymology
Origin of apathy
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
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.
Compounding this painful apathy is the fact that state officials were made aware of the burial ground by at least the 1970s.
From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026
Mustering just three hits on Tuesday did little to quiet any accusations of their apathy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026
This wasn't depression per se, but a condition known as pathological apathy that Patrick describes as feeling like "floating through time" without solid ground.
From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026
Her voice pierces the sky and cuts through the marrow of modern apathy.
From Salon • Dec. 27, 2025
I suspect that this woman knows a great deal, that her apathy is a facade for her seeming resentment against Levy Pants.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
