What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
apathy
Example
She showed apathy towards the news, not caring about what was happening. [apathy: noun]
Example
He apathetically shrugged his shoulders, showing no interest in the conversation. [apathetically: adverb]
indifference
Example
The student displayed indifference towards the test results, not caring whether they passed or failed. [indifference: noun]
Example
She spoke with indifference, her tone devoid of any emotion. [indifferently: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Indifference is more commonly used than apathy in everyday language. Indifference is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while apathy is less common and often used in personal situations to describe a lack of emotional engagement.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between apathy and indifference?
Both apathy and indifference are considered formal words. However, apathy may carry a slightly more negative and stronger connotation compared to indifference, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
