Words / C1

AP-uh-thee/ˈæpəθi/

Apathy is a lack of interest, energy, or concern — not calm, and not mere tiredness. Indifference is a close synonym; boredom is narrower (you want stimulation). Apathetic is the adjective, and writers use voter apathy or public apathy when people cannot be bothered to act. In speech, they just do not care is blunter; the opposite ideas are engagement and enthusiasm.

Meaning

A lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

Examples

• “Voter apathy was high among young people.”
• “Apathy, not anger, was the real threat to the campaign.”
• “After the third delay, even keen students slid into apathy.”

Good to know

a lack of concern. Adjective: apathetic. Close: indifference. Everyday: not caring. Not the same as calm.

Near in meaning

indifference

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