apathetic

[ ap-uh-thet-ik ]

adjective

1. having or showing little or no emotion:

   apathetic behavior.

   Synonyms: cool, impassive, unfeeling

   Antonyms: emotional

2. not interested or concerned; indifferent or unresponsive:

   an apathetic audience.

   Synonyms: unconcerned, uninterested

   Antonyms: concerned

apathetic

/ ˌæpəˈθɛtɪk /

adjective

1. having or showing little or no emotion; indifferent

Derived Forms

• ˌapaˈthetically, adverb

Other Words From

• apa·theti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of apathetic¹

First recorded in 1735–45; apath(y) + (path)etic

Word History and Origins

Origin of apathetic¹

C18: from apathy + pathetic

Example Sentences

It is also hosting block parties outside early voting locations to lure young people who might otherwise be too apathetic or disorganized to make the effort.

From Slate

“No matter what you’re claiming to be, libertarians or apathetic or both-siders or ‘We’re just trying to get to the truth!’ you align yourself with a fascist.

From Los Angeles Times

I was apathetic for years before that.

From Salon

Political broken hearts — unfulfilled promises on immigration reform, schools that continue to fail, worsening housing inequities — are why Latinos are so apathetic about elections, I argued.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, Alysa Diebolt, the chair of the Democratic Party in Macomb County, which Trump won in 2020, said more could always be done to turn out apathetic voters.

From BBC

Related Words

• callous
• indifferent
• laid-back
• passive
• stoic
• uninterested