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apathy Definition

apa·thy (apə t̸hē)

noun pl. -·thies

  1. lack of emotion
  2. lack of interest; listless condition; unconcern; indifference

Etymology: Fr apathie < L apathia < Gr apatheia < a-, without + pathos, emotion: see pathos

apathy Synonyms

apathy

n.

dullness, impassivity, indifference, unconcern; see indifference 1.

apathy Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • combat: Combating apathy can be difficult, whether you are the passive being in question, or merely the observer.
  • overcome: How can the House of Commons overcome voter apathy?
  • counter: CC in the media To counter apathy, how can firms ensure CSR reports are useful documents?
  • breed: Assurance doesn't breed apathy, doubt does, it breeds industry.
  • tackle: In October 2005, the EA launched a campaign to tackle flood apathy - Be Prepared for Flooding.
  • grow: There is a growing apathy among a few boys in the Middle school which is very harming to the house.

Adjective modifier

  • apparent: For instance, what about the apparent apathy of many would-be voters?
  • political: In an age of political apathy, why not just accept the biggest buck.
  • widespread: If the result is widespread apathy, the parties bear responsibility.
  • spiritual: His purpose was to arouse the leaders and people of Judah from their spiritual apathy, and encourage them to continue building the temple.
  • general: Are we talking about a general male apathy toward work, I wonder?
  • usual: Quite apart from the usual summer holiday apathy, poorer economic news is affecting sentiment.

Preposition: on

  • part: Secondly, there has been a general apathy on the part of some members to participate in the meetings.

Modifies a noun

  • rule: Are we getting the message here - apathy rules OK.

Preposition: of

  • people: The apathy of the German people west of the Rhine shocked Hitler.

Noun used with modifier

  • voter: In short voter apathy should have come top of the list by a country mile, not bottom.
  • youth: There was general agreement that the phrase youth apathy is a pernicious misnomer.
  • consumer: May be consumer apathy is the reason that, in my view, manufacturers feel they can get away with selling under developed products.
  • fight: Can't really think of much else right now, any questions, please post em here. __________________ Fight apathy.
  • student: Concerns over student voter apathy in the general election will be debated on conference floor in a debate on citizenship.
apathy Quotes

There is much to be said for apathy in education.

—Forster, E(dward) M(organ)

War is a condition of progress; the whip-cut that prevents a country from going to sleep and forces satisfied mediocrity to shake off its apathy.

—Renan, (Joseph) Ernest

He isgoing round the country stirring up apathy.

—Whitelaw,William Stephen Ian, 1st Viscount

Browse dictionary entries near apathy

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