apathy
Apathy refers to a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern. The mental image is one of a flat emotional landscape where things that should matter—like news, personal goals, or social interactions—fail to trigger any significant response or passion. It is often used in formal or psychological contexts to describe a state of indifference. While "lazy" implies a lack of effort, "apathy" specifically points to a lack of feeling; it is the difference between not wanting to do something and not caring that it exists at all. It is frequently paired with words like "political," "widespread," or "emotional."
In conversation
Discussing a boring project
I honestly don't care if we finish this report by Friday.
I honestly don't care if we finish this report by Friday.
That level of apathy is going to get us fired, Sarah.
That level of apathy is going to get us fired, Sarah.
Used to describe a colleague's lack of concern regarding work consequences.
Voter turnout
The primary cause of the low turnout is voter apathy.
The primary cause of the low turnout is voter apathy.
People just feel like their vote doesn't matter anymore.
People just feel like their vote doesn't matter anymore.
Commonly used in journalistic contexts to explain why people choose not to participate in civic duties.
Examples
He felt a sense of apathy toward his hobbies.
He felt a sense of apathy toward his hobbies.
Widespread apathy among the students made the lecture difficult to conduct.
Widespread apathy among the students made the lecture difficult to conduct.
The government's apathy toward the crisis only deepened the public's frustration.
The government's apathy toward the crisis only deepened the public's frustration.
