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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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