disinterested

adjective

(ˌ)dis-ˈin-trə-stəd How to pronounce disinterested (audio)
Definition of disinterestednext
1
as in nonchalant
having or showing a lack of interest or concern the city's philistines, naturally disinterested in art, voted to cut the museum's budget

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in impartial
marked by justice, honesty, and freedom from bias a judge who is widely respected for his disinterested decisions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective disinterested contrast with its synonyms?

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.

judged by a panel of disinterested observers

When can aloof be used instead of disinterested?

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.

aloof from his coworkers

When could detached be used to replace disinterested?

The words detached and disinterested can be used in similar contexts, but detached implies an objective attitude achieved through absence of prejudice or selfishness.

observed family gatherings with detached amusement

When is incurious a more appropriate choice than disinterested?

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.

incurious about the world

In what contexts can indifferent take the place of disinterested?

While the synonyms indifferent and disinterested are close in meaning, indifferent implies neutrality of attitude from lack of inclination, preference, or prejudice.

indifferent to the dictates of fashion

When might unconcerned be a better fit than disinterested?

The synonyms unconcerned and disinterested are sometimes interchangeable, but unconcerned suggests a lack of sensitivity or regard for others' needs or troubles.

unconcerned about the homeless

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disinterested While the initial print run was limited to only 900 copies, a small but vocal subset of readers became a regular sight at comic shops and fan conventions, waving their wrinkled and heavily underlined softcovers at a mostly disinterested and unenlightened public. —Hazlitt, 18 June 2025 To a degree, Durant could represent the stability that Jimmy Butler was so disinterested in providing. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2025 Cho, as the perceptive and generous Jin, distracted from his own family troubles by the sudden flashes of Casey’s bright light, is wise and rejuvenated; disinterested admiration makes this man, who looks to be in his forties, nearly a teen-ager again. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 June 2025 Phoenix seemed disinterested in the second half of the season, and their record reflected that. —Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for disinterested
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disinterested
  1. nonchalant
  2. impartial
  3. casual
  4. equitable
  5. uninterested
  6. equal
Adjective
  • On vacation, Nicola Peltz styled hers in a breezy, nonchalant way, with a black tank and yellow paisley-print skirt.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 23 July 2025
  • The collection’s journey touched down in Argentina, the Scottish Highlands, as well as New Zealand and Australia, home of its merino wool, for a refined traveler’s wardrobe crafted from top-notch fabrications exuding nonchalant sophistication.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 8 July 2025
Definition of nonchalant
Adjective
  • Restructuring sounds proactive; business optimization sounds strategic; and a focus on cost structures feels impartial.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 20 July 2025
  • While representing a 26-year-old Shoshone County woman accused in 2014 of suffocating her boyfriend’s 22-month-old child, Taylor succeeded in getting the trial moved to Kootenai County out of concern of seating an impartial jury.
    — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2025
Definition of impartial
Adjective
  • Guests can choose from a variety of pastries and breakfast foods, coffee and more to keep things casual, or order from their selection of cocktails and wine.
    — Ramal Nasim July 25, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025
  • Popups and its popular Sunday Suppers offer another avenue for more casual dining.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2025
Definition of casual
Adjective
  • Walsh adds that these issues won’t be solved without more equitable access to childcare for working-class families.
    — ​Wendy Wisner, Parents, 21 July 2025
  • The fact is that allowing customer data to flow, under an equitable arrangement, is good not only for banks and fintechs but for society as a whole.
    — David G.W. Birch, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Definition of equitable
Adjective
  • The combination of e-commerce and decline in shoppers led to a rise in vacant retail space, McShane said, leaving banks uninterested in financing new shopping stores.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2025
  • And surveys have consistently shown that young people are uninterested in entering the manufacturing sector.
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 26 June 2025
Definition of uninterested
Adjective
  • Warrior mindset: Being fair means treating everyone with equal respect and navigating situations with some thought and judgment.
    — Marek Niedzwiedz, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Breakthroughs for the global game have also included the equal pay deal agreed stateside in 2022 by US Soccer, and a five-year rights agreement with broadcasters Sky Sports and the BBC for the English Women's Soccer League starting 2025 which is set to give unprecedented reach to matches.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 14 July 2025
Definition of equal

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disinterested
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“Disinterested.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disinterested. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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