Callous

/ˈkæləs/ · adjective

Meaning

(figurative) Emotionally hardened; unfeeling and indifferent to the suffering/feelings of others..

Definitions by Sense

1. (figurative) Emotionally hardened; unfeeling and indifferent to the suffering/feelings of others.
2. (literally) Having calluses, or relating to calluses.
3. Alternative form of callus.

Example Sentences

She was so callous that she could criticise a cancer patient for wearing a wig.

Re-watching some of the audition rounds of these shows now, you're struck by how callous the judges' comments often were, and how they presented a cruel spectacle in which the audience were set up to laugh at the "deluded" members of the public who believed they could sing.

Hanson was beginning to feel annoyance at the suddenly cocksure and unsympathetic girl, but he stood fully erect and flexed his muscles. There wasn't even a trace of bedsoreness, though he had been flat on his back long enough to grow callouses.

Synonyms for callous

Antonyms for callous

Related Words

Word Forms

• more callous
• most callous
• callouses
• callousing
• calloused

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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