Definition of: apathy

(ap′ə·thē) noun plural ·thies
1. Lack of feeling, emotion, or sensation; insensibility.
2. Indifference; lack of interest. [<L apathia <Gk. apatheia < a- without + pathos feeling <pathein feel] Synonyms: calmness, composure, immobility, impassibility, indifference, insensibility, lethargy, phlegm, quietness, quietude, sluggishness, stillness, stoicism, tranquillity, unconcern, unfeelingness. Composure results ordinarily from force of will, or from perfect confidence in one's own resoures. Indifference is a want of interest; insensibility is a want of feeling; unconcern has reference to consequences. Stoicism is an intentional suppression of feeling and deadening of sensibilities, while apathy is involuntary, denoting a simple absence of emotion. Compare CALM, REST, STUPOR. Antonyms: agitation, alarm, anxiety, care, distress, disturbance, eagerness, emotion, excitement, feeling, frenzy, fury, passion, sensibility, sensitiveness, storm, susceptibility, sympathy, turbulence, vehemence, violence.