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apathy

AH-puh-thee /ˈæp.ə.θi/

nounC1GRESATTOEFLIELTS

formalacademic

A complete lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern about things.

Implies an total absence of feeling or passion where concern or emotion would normally be expected.

The story behind the word. Borrowed from Ancient Greek 'apatheia', which originally meant freedom from suffering or emotion. Stoic philosophers prized 'apatheia' as a state of calm wisdom unaffected by earthly passions, but in modern English, it evolved to describe cold indifference and lack of care.

Word relationships

indifference: Indifference emphasizes lack of preference, whereas apathy emphasizes lack of emotion or caring entirely.
unconcern: Unconcern implies not worrying about something, while apathy implies a deeper numbness.

passion: Passion involves intense emotional drive, the exact opposite of apathy.
enthusiasm: Enthusiasm represents active interest and excitement.

Commonly confused with

empathy: Empathy means sharing another's feelings, whereas apathy means having no feeling at all.
sympathy: Sympathy is feeling compassion for someone, whereas apathy is total emotional numbness.

Word family

apathetic (adjective): Showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
apathetically (adverb): In a manner showing no feeling or interest.

Collocations

widespread apathy
voter apathy
general apathy
political apathy

Idioms & expressions

a wall of apathy

Example sentences

"Voter apathy reached an all-time high during the local midterm elections." Political analysis
"He looked at the burning ruins with an alarming apathy, as if his mind had shut off all feeling." Literary prose

Memory hook

Think of 'a' (without) + 'pathos' (pathos = emotion in theater). Without emotion equals apathy. No feeling, no caring.

When not to use

Do not use for simple physical tiredness or short-term fatigue.

Fun facts

In ancient Stoic philosophy, apathy was considered a desirable virtue representing peace of mind.