disinterested
adjective
Tom Wicker J. A. Brussel T. I. Rubin G. M. Trevelyan
Synonyms
- apathetic
- casual
- complacent
- incurious
- indifferent
- insensible
- insouciant
- nonchalant
- perfunctory
- pococurante
- unconcerned
- uncurious
- uninterested
Example Sentences
Jen Yamato, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2022 Alito and Thomas and the rest were not engaged in a disinterested scrutiny of rights and rules. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 6 July 2022 With the help of a disinterested third party (therapist, etc.)? Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 8 June 2022 So the musically milquetoast, moon-eyed ballads met with big singalongs in town last September were greeted largely with disinterested chatter among Chesney fans across the stadium. Piet Levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 15 May 2022 There's just one problem: The process of line-drawing, of deciding which opinions are acceptable and which are not, is not a disinterested act. Damon Linker, The Week, 26 Apr. 2022 Alfred's non-performance for an office full of disinterested cubicle drones is a whole Twilight Zone in under 30 seconds. Darren Franich, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2022 Photographs can’t help spectacularizing violence, given that a disinterested object, the camera, is interposed between the viewer and the viewed. Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2022 Eckersberg revolutionized training in the academy, persuading his students to pursue direct observation of everyday settings and a disinterested, almost scientific fidelity to natural light. Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
circa 1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
disinterested
adjective
Legal Definition
disinterested
adjective
disinterested
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- nonchalant
- casual
- uninterested
- apathetic
- unconcerned
- indifferent
- detached
- incurious
- careless
- perfunctory
- complacent
- stoic
- insouciant
- uncurious
- calm
- aloof
- insensible
- dispassionate
- halfhearted
- cold
- lukewarm
- numb
- callous
- unemotional
- tepid
- pococurante
- insensitive
- unimpressed
- remote
- impassive
- listless
- lethargic
- unfeeling
- stolid
- phlegmatic
- mindless
- heedless
- cool
- hard-hearted
- impervious
- stoical
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- interested
- concerned
- conscientious
- attentive
- aware
- mindful
- zealous
- sensitive
- passionate
- ardent
- warm
- fervent
- keen
- caring
- heedful
- warmhearted
Synonyms & Similar Words
- impartial
- equitable
- equal
- indifferent
- objective
- dispassionate
- unbiased
- unprejudiced
- just
- candid
- evenhanded
- square
- nonpartisan
- frank
- fair
- straightforward
- reasonable
- forthright
- balanced
- rational
- open
- straight
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- partisan
- biased
- partial
- unjust
- prejudiced
- inequitable
- nonobjective
- deceptive
- dishonest
- unreasonable
- deceitful
- one-sided
- arbitrary
- unfriendly
- unsympathetic
- unconscionable
- jaundiced
- distorted
- colored
- parti pris
- ex parte
- warped
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of disinterested are aloof, detached, incurious, indifferent, and unconcerned. While all these words mean "not showing or feeling interest," disinterested implies a circumstantial freedom from concern for personal or especially financial advantage that enables one to judge or advise without bias.
The words aloof and disinterested are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, aloof suggests a cool reserve arising from a sense of superiority or disdain for inferiors or from shyness.
The words detached and disinterested can be used in similar contexts, but detached implies an objective attitude achieved through absence of prejudice or selfishness.
In some situations, the words incurious and disinterested are roughly equivalent. However, incurious implies an inability to take a normal interest due to dullness of mind or to self-centeredness.
While the synonyms indifferent and disinterested are close in meaning, indifferent implies neutrality of attitude from lack of inclination, preference, or prejudice.
The synonyms unconcerned and disinterested are sometimes interchangeable, but unconcerned suggests a lack of sensitivity or regard for others' needs or troubles.