Word
apathetic
Phoneticsap·a·thet·ic, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌæpəˈθɛtɪk/
UK/ˌæpɐθˈɛtɪk/
Definitions
01lacking interest or concern
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. showing no interest or energy and not willing to make any effort to change things.
adj. showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern. Often used to describe a collective lack of motivation in a social or political context.
“Many young people are apathetic about politics because they feel their vote doesn't matter.”
“The electorate remained largely apathetic throughout the campaign, despite the candidates' increasingly desperate attempts to address the economic crisis.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'about'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02an indifferent person
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal
n. a person who does not care about a particular subject or problem.
n. a person who exhibits apathy or a total lack of interest in a specific issue.
“In the debate between activists and critics, the apathetics are often the hardest group to reach.”
“The marketing strategy was designed to convert the apathetics into active consumers by highlighting the immediate personal benefits of the service.”
Usage
Rarely used as a noun in modern speech; the adjective form is much more common.
Teaching tip
This noun sense is rare; learners should almost always use the adjective form instead.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Waitressing had made me feel hopeless and stupid, and I became apathetic towards all work.” “When those of us from the smartest generation were growing up, we were told that we shouldn’t be ignorant or apathetic, because “I don’t know” and “I don’t care” are not good answers.” Etymology
From apathy + -etic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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