with indifference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with indifference" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could say "She viewed the situation with indifference, completely unaware of the consequences she would face later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They all shrugged with indifference.

The Guardian - Film

He says he met with indifference.

The New York Times

All of it was treated with indifference.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet many Chinese have reacted with indifference.

The Guardian - Sport

Sometimes it treats you with indifference".

The New York Times

She looks at him with indifference.

The New Yorker

Nobody gets that angry with somebody they regard with indifference".

Independent

Such turmoil would be greeted with indifference by many Belgians.

The New York Times

To Mr Bouchard's annoyance, Quebec's voters reacted with indifference.

The Economist

The younger generations commonly view the Holocaust with indifference.

The New York Times

"People never look at people with indifference," Dr. Etcoff said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with indifference" to convey a neutral or unemotional stance towards a subject. This can be particularly effective when describing a character's reaction or an institution's policy.

Common error

Avoid using "with indifference" when a stronger emotion is more appropriate. Indifference implies a complete lack of concern, so ensure it accurately reflects the intended sentiment. If the context suggests mild annoyance or disappointment, consider alternatives like "with slight irritation" or "with mild disappointment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with indifference" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe how an action is performed or a state is experienced. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically sound and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

HuffPost

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with indifference" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a lack of interest or concern. This phrase is prevalent in news media, scientific writing, and encyclopedia articles, reflecting its neutrality and broad applicability. While effective, writers should be mindful of the emotional context and avoid overuse in situations requiring stronger emotional descriptors. Related phrases like "apathetically" or "without concern" can offer nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without concern

Replaces "indifference" with "concern", focusing on the absence of worry.

apathetically

Uses an adverb to describe acting with indifference.

in a detached manner

Emphasizes emotional distance.

showing no interest

Highlights the lack of curiosity or engagement.

without enthusiasm

Focuses on the absence of excitement or passion.

with a lack of feeling

Emphasizes the absence of emotional response.

in a nonchalant way

Describes the action as casual and unconcerned.

taking no notice

Highlights a failure to observe or acknowledge.

without any reaction

Focuses on the absence of a response to a stimulus.

with studied disinterest

Implies a deliberate effort to appear uninterested.

FAQs

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

Use "with indifference" to describe someone's reaction or attitude that lacks interest or concern. For example, "She shrugged with indifference" or "The company treated the complaints with indifference".

What are some alternatives to saying "with indifference"?

You can use alternatives like "apathetically", "without concern", or "in a detached manner" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "with indifference" or "indifferently"?

Both "with indifference" and "indifferently" are correct, but "with indifference" is a prepositional phrase, while "indifferently" is an adverb. The choice depends on the sentence structure. For example, "She replied indifferently" versus "She replied with indifference".

What's the difference between "with indifference" and "with apathy"?

"With indifference" implies a lack of interest or concern, while "with apathy" suggests a lack of motivation or emotion. Apathy is a stronger state of emotional detachment than indifference. Therefore, use "with apathy" when the character has an absence of feeling.