apathetic

What does “apathetic” mean?

adjective.showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

SAT Usage

The term is often found in passages discussing social issues, personal relationships, or emotional responses. It emphasizes a lack of engagement or emotional investment, suggesting a deeper indifference that can lead to broader societal implications, distinguishing it from related words like "disinterested," which implies neutrality rather than a complete lack of concern.

Common Confusions

Apathetic implies a complete lack of interest or concern, while disinterested usually suggests a neutral stance without personal involvement or bias.

Example Sentences

• Voters grew apathetic after years of broken promises.

• His apathetic response to the crisis showed a lack of concern.

Word Parts: How to Remember “apathetic”

Break “apathetic” into its parts: a- (not, without) + -path- (feeling, suffering). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: a- not, without (Greek)
• Root: -path- feeling, suffering (Greek)