indifference

A lack of interest or concern about someone or something.

• His indifference hurt her.
• The announcement was met with public indifference.
• She could not understand their indifference to the children's needs.

How to use it: indifference to someone/something (Their indifference to our problems was upsetting.)

Similar words: unconcern, apathy, lack of interest

Opposites: concern, interest

Common phrases: complete indifference, public indifference, indifference to something

A lack of feeling or emotional response, especially when others expect care or sympathy.

• He watched their distress with indifference.
• Her cold indifference made him feel completely alone.
• They mistook his silence for indifference to their pain.

How to use it: indifference towards someone/something (Her indifference towards his suffering shocked us.)

Similar words: apathy, unconcern, insensitivity

Opposites: sympathy, concern

Common phrases: cold indifference, emotional indifference, indifference towards someone

A lack of excitement or enthusiasm about something.

• The audience greeted the song with indifference.
• His proposal met with general indifference.
• Their initial indifference turned to excitement once they saw the plans.

How to use it: indifference towards something (There was widespread indifference towards the new competition.)

Similar words: lack of enthusiasm, lukewarmness

Opposites: enthusiasm, excitement

Common phrases: general indifference, greet with indifference, indifference towards something

The quality of judging fairly without favouring either side.

• The judge maintained an air of indifference between the two sides.
• Such indifference requires setting personal loyalties aside.
• The philosopher praised indifference as a condition of fair judgment.

Similar words: impartiality, neutrality

Opposites: bias, partiality

Common phrases: judicial indifference, impartial indifference, indifference between sides