Apathy
noun /ˈæp.ə.θi/ — Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
Definition
Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern about something; an absence of feeling or emotion toward things that would ordinarily matter.
Beyond the definition
Apathy is the mood of not caring about not caring. It's different from sadness — sadness at least feels something. Apathy is the flat affect, the shrug, the 'whatever.' It can be a symptom of exhaustion, depression, or a defense mechanism against things that have hurt too many times.
Origin & history
From Greek apatheia ('freedom from suffering'), from a- ('without') + pathos ('feeling, suffering'). Originally a Stoic virtue — freedom from disturbing passion. Now used almost entirely as a failing.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Voter apathy in the region meant the election drew a historic low turnout.
After months of conflict, he fell into a quiet apathy that worried everyone around him.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Apathy” when the meaning fits your context: Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern about something; an absence of feeling or emotion toward things that would ordinarily matter.
Synonyms
indifference, disinterest, lethargy, passivity, detachment
Antonyms
enthusiasm, passion, concern, engagement
Related words
- indifference
- lethargy
- detachment
- disengagement
Apathy vs indifference
Indifference is neutral — the absence of preference or strong feeling in either direction. Apathy is the absence of feeling that should be present: voter apathy, emotional apathy, moral apathy. The apathetic person has lost engagement with something that matters; the indifferent person may simply have no stake. Indifference is a position; apathy is a state. You can be indifferent about a minor issue without it being troubling; apathy implies a failure of care about something significant.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Exhaustion leads to total disengagement
An adult sits on a public park bench, head in hands, while a chaotic, energetic crowd swirls around them unnoticed.
The figure's total lack of reaction to the surrounding life illustrates apathy. They remain disconnected and unmoved, showing an absence of the ordinary feeling or concern that usually defines one's interaction with the rest of the world.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Apathy" mean?
Apathy is noun meaning: Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.. Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern about something; an absence of feeling or emotion toward things that would ordinarily matter.
Where does the word "Apathy" come from?
From Greek apatheia ('freedom from suffering'), from a- ('without') + pathos ('feeling, suffering'). Originally a Stoic virtue — freedom from disturbing passion. Now used almost entirely as a failing.