indifferently

USAGE SUMMARY

"indifferently" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is not interested, enthusiastic, or concerned about something. For example, "He performed the task indifferently, without any enthusiasm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In August and September they took the Sinjar mountain area, home to 200,000-plus terrified members of the esoteric non-Muslim Yazidi sect, and made assaults along the border with the Kurds.The Kurdish forces, known as the Peshmerga ("those ready to die"), fought indifferently.

The Economist

All must have the right to select their intake.It is better to do some things well rather than everything indifferently.

The Economist

Another 1941 shot, "Killing for a Warm Glass of Beer" includes a dog hovering indifferently over a dead body in a bar.Weegee considered himself a journalist first, peddling his wares to the city's seedier dailies, but he was also an artist with a keen sense of composition.

The Economist

Agriculture, the source of livelihood for most of India's people, is expected to perform indifferently after a spotty monsoon.Yet plenty of countries would be happy with India's indicators.

The Economist

The organisers carefully steered clear of politics, focusing on house and food prices, the cost of education and corruption in the economy.But to many Israelis no phenomenon seems more socially unjust, in a country faced by frequent war and constant low-grade conflict, than a sector of society dodging the draft while the state looks on indifferently.

The Economist

Muslims generally shrug indifferently at Christian representations of Jesus or Moses, both of whom Islam also venerates.In this case, however, the caricaturing of Muhammad was clearly meant as a challenge.

The Economist

Attempting to promise change while preaching the benefits of continuity, he speaks of Britain as though he had just happened upon an indifferently run firm that needs to pull its socks up.

The Economist

Even their pain was indifferently dealt with, in case they were turned into opiate addicts in their final days.Related items Ethics and politics: Whose life is it, anyway?Oct 30th 2003 The right to die: But who says?Oct 16th 2003 Euthanasia: Last rightsNov 15th 2001 On death and dying: The final hurryMar 20th 1997Dr Kübler-Ross set out to change this.

The Economist

However, by-elections to three parliamentary and 48 state assembly seats in June suggest that public support for the nuclear tests does not translate into many votes: the BJP made some modest overall gains, especially in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, but fared indifferently elsewhere.The by-elections were dominated by local issues.

The Economist

The party's leader, Sitaram Kesri, who suspects his candidates would fare indifferently if there were an early election, was reluctant to force the issue.

The Economist

She seems a rather creepy, jejune and adolescent fantasy.Running throughout this book, as through "Everyman" and its successor, "Exit Ghost", is an odd feeling of contempt for the reader not because Mr Roth writes so unremittingly about death, solitude and infirmity, nor because his protagonists wallow in misery, but because characters soliloquise indifferently instead of talking.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indifferently" to describe actions or attitudes that lack interest or concern. It effectively conveys a sense of detachment or apathy.

Common error

Avoid using "indifferently" when a more specific adverb could better convey the nuance of the situation. Consider whether "apathetically", "unconcernedly", or "nonchalantly" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "indifferently" modifies verbs, adverbs, or adjectives to describe the manner in which an action is performed or a quality is displayed. It indicates a lack of interest, concern, or enthusiasm. Ludwig AI confirms its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "indifferently" is a versatile term for expressing a lack of interest, concern, or enthusiasm. It's grammatically sound and commonly used across various writing styles, from news articles to academic papers as validated by Ludwig AI. While "indifferently" is widely accepted, consider using more specific synonyms like "apathetically" or "nonchalantly" to enhance your writing. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively incorporate "indifferently" into your vocabulary. The examples provided by Ludwig showcases the use of the term in different scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apathetically

Implies a lack of emotion or feeling; stronger than "indifferently".

unconcernedly

Highlights the absence of worry or anxiety.

nonchalantly

Suggests a cool and casual indifference.

listlessly

Indicates a lack of energy or enthusiasm.

tepidly

Suggests a mild or lukewarm approach.

perfunctorily

Implies that something is done as a duty or routine, without real interest.

dispassionately

Highlights the absence of emotion or bias.

halfheartedly

Indicates a lack of commitment or enthusiasm.

lukewarmly

Expresses a moderate amount of enthusiasm or interest; not passionate or excited.

carelessly

Suggests a lack of attention or thought; implies negligence.

FAQs

How can I use "indifferently" in a sentence?

You can use "indifferently" to describe an action done without interest or enthusiasm. For example, "He shrugged "unconcernedly", pushing out his bottom lip indifferently, and carried on polishing glasses."

What words can I use instead of "indifferently"?

Alternatives to "indifferently" include "apathetically", "unconcernedly", or "nonchalantly", depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone "reacted indifferently"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say someone "reacted indifferently". It means they responded without showing any particular interest or emotion.

What's the difference between "indifferently" and "carelessly"?

"Indifferently" implies a lack of interest or concern, while "carelessly" suggests a lack of attention or effort. Someone might perform a task "perfunctorily" or indifferently because they don't care about the outcome, or carelessly because they aren't paying attention.