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SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS

indifference

noun

A lack of interest, concern, or strong preference.

Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.

Lack of interest or concern

Closest synonyms

Related words and expressions

These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.

Usage distinction

Apathy suggests little interest or motivation; neutrality can be a deliberate position rather than lack of care.

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RELATED FORMS, ONE FEATURED ENTRY

The indifferent family

indifference is grouped under indifferent in the main dictionaries. This form keeps its meaning and previous study record.

indifferentadjective

Showing little interest, concern, or preference.

Without much interest

Closest synonyms

Related expressions

The audience seemed indifferent to which song opened the program.
Dictionary practice example.
Several members were indifferent between morning and afternoon sessions, accepting either time without a preference.
From Quietness, Distance, and Interest.

CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT

See indifference in use

Public indifference initially made it difficult to recruit volunteers.
Dictionary practice example.
During a practice auction at the welcome event, Ben's face was impassive even when a bid surprised him. A teammate described Mei as stolid because she showed little outward reaction throughout several dramatic turns in the game. Neither observation established indifference: both students kept careful track of the rules and asked for another round.
From Interpreting a Quiet Manner.

Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.

Synonym reference scope and sources

The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.

How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license

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