disinterestedly

USAGE SUMMARY

'disinterestedly' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It means to do something without bias or self-interest, or to be impartial or unbiased in one's actions. Example: The judge listened to both sides of the argument disinterestedly before making a ruling.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

If they look disinterestedly at the scene before them, they can appreciate that they have in Mr McCain, the Anti-Clinton, the perfect candidate to take on Mr Gore who, after squeaking past Bill Bradley, now looks set for the Democratic nomination.

The Economist

The reason Kennan considered the United Nations a bad idea was that it is an organization based on the pretense that every nation can subscribe disinterestedly to international legal principles — when nations are always, and rightly, interested primarily in preserving or extending their own power.

The New Yorker

Growing up, my best friend's parents were linguists, who disinterestedly charted her language acquisition as a toddler and then, with far more interest, her grammatical failures as a young adult.

The New Yorker

Here he uses the same form that he polished to perfection in "The Moon and Sixpence" and "Cakes and Ale" — the narrator observes his characters and reflects disinterestedly on tensions between conventionality and the risky search for self-fulfillment.

The New Yorker

The American imperial vision is that Americans act disinterestedly whereas others act only out of self-interest.

The New Yorker

The reels started revolving slowly, disinterestedly.

The New Yorker

I would say, "You know, if I learned to cook and have kids, we could be a really perfect couple," to which he would respond, without missing a beat, "And then, on weekends, I could go out and get the paper in my bathrobe, and we could look at the headlines and disinterestedly complain about the world".

The New York Times

Whatever one thinks of these decisions, it should be apparent that conservative judges do not disinterestedly call balls and strikes.

The New York Times

Forcing debtors to rot, Defoe not disinterestedly pointed out, was injurious to both parties, since "after a debtor was confined in prison both he and the creditor lost through his prolonged distress".

The New York Times - Books

Aloof and aggressive, the dancers push and pull against one another, one minute throwing come hither looks over their shoulders, the next barely bothering to catch their partners before disinterestedly letting them slide to the floor.

The New York Times - Arts

Young men bent low over tables playing boisterous dice games while their girlfriends, hair dyed various shades of red and brown, smoked disinterestedly and texted, their faces illuminated by the glow of their phones.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "disinterestedly" when you want to emphasize impartiality or a lack of personal interest in the outcome. For instance, a judge should review evidence "disinterestedly".

Common error

Avoid using "disinterestedly" when you mean "uninterestedly". "Disinterestedly" means impartial, while "uninterestedly" means lacking interest. For example, instead of saying 'He listened "disinterestedly" to the lecture', say 'He listened "uninterestedly" to the lecture' if you mean he was bored.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "disinterestedly" modifies verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, indicating that an action is performed impartially or without personal bias. This is confirmed by Ludwig, which identifies it as a correct word with a clear definition and usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disinterestedly" is a grammatically correct adverb that means acting impartially or without bias, as verified by Ludwig. It is commonly used, particularly in News & Media. To avoid confusion, remember that "disinterestedly" should not be used in place of "uninterestedly", which means lacking interest. When aiming to express objectivity and fairness, using synonyms such as "impartially", "objectively", and "neutrally" can provide nuanced alternatives. "Disinterestedly" is a valuable term for maintaining credibility by conveying objectivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impartially

Focuses specifically on the absence of bias or favoritism.

objectively

Emphasizes a perspective based on facts rather than feelings or opinions.

neutrally

Suggests a position of non-alignment or non-involvement.

without bias

Explicitly states the absence of prejudice or inclination.

without prejudice

Highlights the avoidance of preconceived notions.

fairly

Indicates an equitable and just approach.

equitably

Stresses the equal treatment of all parties involved.

with detachment

Implies a separation from emotional involvement.

in a detached manner

Rephrases "with detachment" for emphasis.

indifferently

Suggests a lack of concern or interest, which can sometimes overlap with impartiality depending on context.

FAQs

How can I use "disinterestedly" in a sentence?

You can use "disinterestedly" to describe someone acting without bias or personal interest. For example, 'The mediator listened "disinterestedly" to both sides of the dispute'.

What does "disinterestedly" mean?

"Disinterestedly" means impartially or without being influenced by personal feelings or gains.

Is it correct to use "disinterestedly" to mean 'lacking interest'?

No, "disinterestedly" means impartial. If you mean lacking interest, use "uninterestedly" instead.

What are some synonyms for "disinterestedly"?

Synonyms for "disinterestedly" include "impartially", "objectively", and "neutrally".