cruel indifference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cruel indifference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of concern or empathy that is perceived as harsh or unfeeling, often in contexts involving suffering or injustice. Example: "The community was outraged by the cruel indifference shown by the authorities towards the plight of the homeless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Burdened by the demands of these women in a fatherless world, Galen retreats into nature, taking dangerous lessons from its cruel indifference.

The New Yorker

He has been a throwback with a liberal streak — a non-reactionary old-school director whose characters display hard responses to hard circumstances that themselves suggest a world of cruel indifference and reparable woes.

The New Yorker

Look at your knickers and shirt!... Why do you do this to your clothes?" In both versions of the story, what matters is the brutality of children and the cruel indifference of parents; and these seem to have been the major themes of Bukowski's own childhood.

The New Yorker

In fact, Ethernet's development and ultimate success illustrates both the inexorable serendipity of invention and its cruel indifference.Ethernet itself was just part of a project that made Xerox's Palo Alto Research Centre PARCC) legendary.

The Economist

Already, cruel indifference and a shockingly militarized deterrence of these desperate and vulnerable men, women and children has contributed to the deaths and suffering of countless people.

Huffington Post

In front of me, right now, lined up along the wall in sealed plastic boxes, staring at me with mocking and cruel indifference, there are 22 new five-inch friends for Ike and Fox.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A focus on the positive this anniversary can make some of us anxious, make us afraid that people will forget the crimes and cruel indifferences we vowed to rectify somehow.

Huffington Post

But Mr. Koke's articles run cold with the blood of cruel public indifference.

The New York Times

But other than writing a scathing letter to the CEO of We Can't Be Bothered To Help You, Inc., is there anything you can do to get better service in out there in the cold cruel world of indifference?

Huffington Post

In the email, she wrote, "What happened in Flint is the cruelest kind of indifference, and an affront to what we stand for as a nation".

Huffington Post

For an artist who strives so mightily to convince us of his good nature, there's something truly cruel in his sculptures' indifference to any audience desire for profundity, complexity, or even adulthood.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cruel indifference" to emphasize a lack of empathy or concern that is particularly harsh or unfeeling. It is effective when describing systemic failures or individual behaviors that cause significant harm.

Common error

Avoid using "cruel indifference" when you simply mean neutrality or impartiality. "Cruel indifference" implies a negative value judgment, whereas neutrality suggests a lack of bias. Choose your words carefully to accurately reflect the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cruel indifference" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to highlight a specific quality of indifference. As Ludwig AI highlights, this type of indifference is harsh and unfeeling.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

11%

Science

39%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cruel indifference" is a descriptive phrase used to express a harsh lack of empathy or concern, often when it leads to negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used to strongly condemn. While alternatives like "callous disregard" or "harsh apathy" exist, "cruel indifference" is particularly effective when highlighting the harmful impact of a lack of empathy in various contexts, ranging from personal relationships to societal issues. Its usage is more frequent in journalistic and academic sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harsh apathy

Replaces "indifference" with "apathy", emphasizing a lack of feeling or interest.

callous disregard

Substitutes "cruel" with "callous" and "indifference" with "disregard", highlighting a lack of concern and deliberate inattention.

ruthless disregard

Substitutes "cruel" with "ruthless" and "indifference" with "disregard", highlighting pitilessness

heartless neglect

Replaces "cruel" with "heartless" and "indifference" with "neglect", focusing on a lack of care and emotional connection.

brutal apathy

Replaces "cruel" with "brutal" and "indifference" with "apathy", intensifying the lack of feeling or interest.

merciless neglect

Replaces "cruel" with "merciless" and "indifference" with "neglect", pointing to a lack of compassion.

heartless inaction

Replaces "cruel" with "heartless" and "indifference" with "inaction", focusing on a lack of care with no intervention.

cold detachment

Replaces "cruel indifference" with a noun phrase indicating emotional distance and lack of involvement.

callousness

Replaces the entire phrase with a single noun encompassing the quality of being insensitive and uncaring.

apathy

Replaces the entire phrase with a single noun showing lack of interest or concern.

FAQs

How can I use "cruel indifference" in a sentence?

You can use "cruel indifference" to describe a situation where someone shows a harsh lack of empathy or concern, such as, "The politician's "cruel indifference" to the plight of the poor was widely criticized".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "cruel indifference"?

Similar phrases include "harsh apathy", "callous disregard", or "heartless neglect", each emphasizing different aspects of a lack of empathy.

Is it redundant to say "cruel indifference" since indifference often implies a lack of caring?

While indifference inherently suggests a lack of caring, adding "cruel" intensifies the sense of harshness or callousness associated with that lack of concern, emphasizing the negative impact or consequences.

How does "cruel indifference" differ from simple "indifference"?

"Indifference" generally means a lack of interest or concern. "Cruel indifference" specifically denotes a lack of empathy or concern that causes harm or suffering, indicating a more severe and morally reprehensible stance.