LESSON 13: Who Cares? What’s so Interesting? Words Relating to Lacking Interest or Emotion

Aloof Uninterested; showing no concern; emotionally removed or distant I tried to stay aloof from the bickering between my mother and sister. My friend from New York was always very courteous, but seemed faintly aloof. Many people mistake my shyness for an aloof personality. Adjective Uninterested; showing no concern; emotionally removed or distant

Apathetic Young people who are apathetic about politics often don’t vote. He became very apathetic after the breakup. My mother has become active rather than apathetic as she’s grown older. Adjective Indifferent; showing no caring, interest, or concern; lacking emotion

Detached Aloof; indifferent The Governor attempted to remain detached from party politics. Ava often seemed detached, even to those who knew her well. John felt he was smarter than most of his classmates and often acted detached. Adjective Aloof; indifferent

Impassive Lacking emotion or drive Impassive passersby ignored the performers as they walked to work. My boss remained impassive as I attempted to explain why I needed to take another day off. Don’t be so impassive; it’s healthy to cry every now and then. Adjective Lacking emotion or drive

Indifferent Apathetic; showing little or no concern or care The Senator was indifferent to foreign affairs until he learned of the crisis in Europe. My parents seemed indifferent rather than angry when they heard what I had done. The aristocrats were indifferent to the struggles of the poor in the years before the French Revolution. Adjective Apathetic; showing little or no concern or care

Listless I was listless and bored during the long drive to Niagara Falls. Voter turnout was low because the citizens had a listless reaction to both candidates. The business rivals shook hands listlessly; it was clear that they were not fond of one another. Adjective Lacking interest in something, usually because of illness, fatigue, or general sadness; spiritless

Nonchalant I shrugged nonchalantly as my parents berated me with questions. The pitcher nonchalantly stared in from the mound as he waited for the catcher to give the next sign. The Arctic explorer had a casual nonchalance even as the temperature continued to drop. Adjective Casual and indifferent; not showing any great concern or worry about anything

Phlegmatic Hard to get excited or emotional; calm; slow-moving It was difficult to know how the phlegmatic, undemonstrative man was truly feeling. She accepted to decision phlegmatically, and continued to go about his business. It was strange to see Brian so excited; he’s usually quite phlegmatic. Adjective Hard to get excited or emotional; calm; slow-moving

Remote The law professor continued to act remote and patronizing toward his students. My father was very remote when I was growing up; he never took a close interest in his children. My best friend seemed to become quite remote after she moved away to college. Adjective Emotionally distant and disinterested; aloof; uninvolved; distant, far away

Stolid Lacking emotion or not showing any emotion; stoical His stolid reaction at his brother’s funeral surprised me. She reacted with stolid indifference to everything that was reported during the conversation. The British people are famous for their stolid attitude in the face of adversity. Adjective Lacking emotion or not showing any emotion; stoical