✅ Sensible describes having good sense and good judgment (Her concerns were sensible).

✅ Down-to-earth describes being practical and realistic (A down-to-earth leader).

✅ Sensible and down-to-earth have similar meanings, but there are key differences.

✅ Down-to-earth generally refers to an approach to life in general, whereas sensible typically refers to how you handle things that happen to you (She made sensible choices; He was a calm, down-to-earth person).

Tell us about a down-to-earth friend with the help of Grammar Coach.

✅ Lazy describes not wanting to do things, such as work, or not wanting to put effort into things, particularly when this is a personal choice you consistently make (He decided to spend the weekend being lazy).

✅ Passive describes not participating actively in something, especially to the point of letting things happen around you without trying to do anything (A passive person who disliked making decisions).

✅ Lazy and passive people can both be disengaged or seem apathetic. However, lazy and passive mean slightly different things.

✅ Lazy emphasizes not doing things that you should do and not putting in effort. Passive emphasizes letting things happen without your participation, engagement, or control.

Don’t just be a passive reader—develop your vocabulary with these synonyms!

✅ Indifferent describes not caring about something or being disinterested in it (He was indifferent to the feelings of others; She was indifferent to most new music).

✅ Apathetic describes not being interested in or concerned about something, especially to the point of being unresponsive (The company representative was apathetic to her plight).

✅ Often, indifferent and apathetic both suggest that you ought to care, but don’t (I couldn’t believe how indifferent she seemed).

✅ Apathetic also suggests a lack of response on top of a lack of care (He remained apathetic, despite the bad news).

We hope you’re not apathetic toward these synonyms!