apathy

[ap-uh-thee]

noun

plural

apathies 

1. absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement.

   Synonyms: coolness
   Antonyms: fervor, ardor

2. lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting.

3. Stoicism.,  Also apatheia, apathia freedom from emotion of any kind.

apathy

/ ˈæpəθɪ /

noun

1. absence of interest in or enthusiasm for things generally considered interesting or moving

2. absence of emotion

Word History and Origins

Origin of apathy¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of apathy¹

C17: from Latin, from Greek apatheia, from apathēs without feeling, from _a- ¹ + pathos feeling

Synonym Study

See indifference.

Example Sentences

When activists encountered apathy from Sacramento politicians, “I knew I had to tell this story,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times

Not everyone in the Allied nations shared in the prevailing atmosphere of apathy or even jubilation over those nuclear bombings.

From Salon

"I think having a can-do attitude to find solutions is what's needed, not apathy and being put in a 'too difficult' pile," she said.

From BBC

It’s no wonder that many keepers choose to emotionally distance themselves and sink into apathy.

From Los Angeles Times

But just as time gradually erodes displeasure within a relationship and turns it into apathy, time can also diminish the pain felt by two people in love who agree to go their separate ways.

From Salon

Related Words

• indifference 
• insensitivity www.thesaurus.com
• lethargy 

When To Use

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!