what is indifference
Charlotte Adams
Updated on June 18, 2026
Definition of indifference
1 : the quality, state, or fact of being indifferent. 2a : absence of compulsion to or toward one thing or another. b archaic : lack of difference or distinction between two or more things.
What is an example of indifference?
The definition of indifference is a lack of care, concern or interest. An example of indifference is when you don’t care or put effort into something. Unbiased impartiality. Unemotional apathy.
Is indifference a good thing?
While it can be harmless and normal to experience, it can also be harmful. The indifference, unresponsiveness, detachment, and passivity that are characteristic of apathy can leave apathetic individuals feeling exhausted and also lead to their making bad decisions—because, well, they just don’t care.
What is the cause of indifference?
Apathy can be a symptom of mental health problems, Parkinson’s disease, or Alzheimer’s disease. It often lasts a long time. You may lack the desire to do anything that involves thinking or your emotions. The term comes from the Greek word “pathos,” which means passion or emotion.
Is indifference an emotion?
Sometime in the 18th century, the meaning changed to a sense of being without emotion or feeling—indifference, especially to matters that are important or appealing. Apathy is characterized by feelings of indifference and lack of emotion.
Is indifference worse than hate?
Being indifferent is therefore more severe than people who hate and angry because it also leads good people in the Western world to do nothing to stop the horrific atrocities Moreover, indifference has the greatest indirect impact on society.
How do you deal with an indifferent person?
Use awareness skill to notice the indifference. Alternatives: deny, minimize, ignore, repress, justify, and/or endure it. Identify how you feel about the person’s lack of interest (vs. about the person) – Hurt?
Does indifferent mean neutral?
As adjectives the difference between neutral and indifferent
is that neutral is not taking sides in a conflict such as war; nonaligned while indifferent is not caring or concerned; uninterested, apathetic.
Is indifference the opposite of love?
Elie Wiesel, prolific writer and Holocaust survivor famously said, “the opposite of love is not hate, it is indifference”. If you have ever had a lover who didn’t call, a partner who ignored or rebuked your physical advances or a parent who neglected you, you know this is true.
What does indifference feel like?
Indifference comes on like a slow burn. It doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t happen on impulse like anger in a heated argument. Indifference isn’t something that’s “triggered”. Indifference is different, slower, more painful, more confusing, leaving you with more questions than answers.
How do I become indifferent to everything?
Being indifferent means being dispassionate about the things that happen around you. Instead of being caught up in drama and emotion, enjoy the show! People all around you are getting involved in their own production — how great it would be to sit back and watch, carefree. It’s mind over matter, truly.
How do you grow indifference?
Cultivate indifference to criticism by cultivating indifference to praise too. You can’t have it both ways. The key to indifference is maintaining a steady middle ground and not being swung around based on the last compliment or comment you heard. Be able to thank the well-wisher and not let it get to your head.
How do you tell if someone is indifferent to you?
Signs of indifference in a relationship
You and your partner only have surface-level conversations .Your automatic response to your significant other’s question always seems to be “whatever.”You don’t think about the relationship almost at all.You and your partner never fight or argue anymore.
What is the danger of indifference?
Indifference reduces the other to an abstraction. In a way, to be indifferent to suffering is what makes the human being inhuman. Indifference, after all, is more dangerous than anger and hatred. Anger can at times be creative.
What is indifference in a relationship?
You’re not irritable or sad or angry at them, but equally, you don’t share in their joy either. They almost might as well not be there, apart from the fact that you say that you’re in a relationship together. Indifference is an unhappy state to be in.