Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.
apathy (n.), apathetic (adj.)
Apathy means “a lack of concern, interest, or emotion,” as in Her apathy was apparent; she dozed off. When it combines, apathy does so most often with the prepositions toward and towards: They showed an apathy toward[s] any kind of intellectual activity. You can also show apathy about, regarding, or to something, although these prepositions occur infrequently. Apathetic means “emotionless, spiritless, impassive”: His apathetic manner discouraged us. See also EMPATHETIC.
