Word: apathy (noun)

Associations

Apathy means a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern about something. It describes when someone does not care or feel strong emotions about a situation or topic.

Examples:

• Many people showed apathy toward the election and did not vote. (They didn't care about voting.)
• His apathy about his schoolwork caused his grades to drop. (He was not interested in studying.)
• The team's apathy was clear when they stopped trying to win the game. (They lost interest in playing well.)

Synonym: indifference. Difference: Both mean lack of interest, but apathy often implies a deeper emotional lack, while indifference can be more neutral or passive.

Substitution

Instead of "apathy," you can say:

• indifference – less emotional, more neutral lack of interest.
• disinterest – simply not interested, without strong feelings.
• unconcern – not worried or bothered about something.

Each word changes the tone slightly. "Apathy" sounds more serious or emotional.

Deconstruction

Root: "path" comes from Greek "pathos," meaning feeling or suffering. Prefix: "a-" means "without." So, "apathy" literally means "without feeling."

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt apathy about something important?
• How is apathy different from simply being tired or busy?
• Why do you think people sometimes show apathy toward important issues?