APATHETIC Synonyms: 125 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'apathetic' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of apathetic are impassive , phlegmatic , stoic , and stolid . While all these words mean "unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion," apathetic may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness. // charitable appeals met an apathetic response

Q: Where would 'impassive' be a reasonable alternative to 'apathetic'?

The meanings of impassive and apathetic largely overlap; however, impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression. // met the news with an impassive look

Q: When can 'phlegmatic' be used instead of 'apathetic'?

In some situations, the words phlegmatic and apathetic are roughly equivalent. However, phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse. // a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

Q: When might 'stoic' be a better fit than 'apathetic'?

The words stoic and apathetic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stoic implies an apparent indifference to pleasure or especially to pain often as a matter of principle or self-discipline. // was resolutely stoic even in adversity

Q: When is 'stolid' a more appropriate choice than 'apathetic'?

The words stolid and apathetic can be used in similar contexts, but stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity. // stolid workers wedded to routine

apathetic

adjective

ˌa-pə-ˈthe-tik

Definition of apathetic next

as in nonchalant

having or showing a lack of interest or concern people of conscience cannot be apathetic about the great suffering in this world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in stoic

not feeling or showing emotion gave nothing more than an apathetic gaze to his interrogators

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word apathetic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of apathetic are impassive, phlegmatic, stoic, and stolid. While all these words mean "unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion," apathetic may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness.

charitable appeals met an apathetic response

Where would impassive be a reasonable alternative to apathetic?

The meanings of impassive and apathetic largely overlap; however, impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression.

met the news with an impassive look

When can phlegmatic be used instead of apathetic?

In some situations, the words phlegmatic and apathetic are roughly equivalent. However, phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse.

a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears

When might stoic be a better fit than apathetic?

The words stoic and apathetic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stoic implies an apparent indifference to pleasure or especially to pain often as a matter of principle or self-discipline.

was resolutely stoic even in adversity

When is stolid a more appropriate choice than apathetic?

The words stolid and apathetic can be used in similar contexts, but stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity.

stolid workers wedded to routine

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of apathetic Evan is panicked, but the kids are unimpressed — apathetic, even —and tell him that the sound was not actually reason for emergency, but rather the standard proceedings of Markie (Sean Patton) the gym teacher’s student gun club. —

Zoe G. Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Sep. 2024 Yet, still too many people remain apathetic to this crisis. —

Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024 Many young voters there feel pessimistic and apathetic. —

Josh Feldman, NBC News, 1 Sep. 2024 Caitlin Clark is pretty apathetic about her standing in the WNBA's 2024 MVP rankings. —

Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 22 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for apathetic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apathetic

Adjective

Pair it with biker boots and tights to ooze nonchalant cool.

Esme Benjamin, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
But perhaps the more pronounced change in her life since turning 50 is the fact that the fashion designer and former Spice Girl has grown more nonchalant about what the world around her thinks about her.

Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024