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noun

apathy

A-puh-thee
noun
1
A lack of interest, enthusiasm, or emotion about something.
"Voter apathy meant only a third of the town bothered to show up."
"His apathy toward the project frustrated the rest of the team."

How to Use Apathy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNot caring — feeling flat, uninterested, or unmoved about something most people would react to.

Common mistake

Apathy is a lack of feeling, not sadness — someone apathetic isn't upset, they just don't care either way.

Common pairings
voter apathy general apathy a wave of apathy

Word Forms

apathies plural

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Voter _____ meant only a third of the town bothered to show up.

Etymology

From Greek apatheia, "without suffering" — built from a- ("not") plus pathos ("feeling").

Related Words

Rhymes for apathy

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial