Callous

Quick meaning: Callous is an adjective meaning (figurative) Emotionally hardened; unfeeling and indifferent to the suffering/feelings of others.

Meaning

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

More Meanings

1. (literally) Having calluses, or relating to calluses.
2. Alternative form of callus.

Example Sentences

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

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.

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.

Word Forms

• callouses
• callousing
• calloused

Synonyms for callous

Depending on context, synonyms include heartless, insensitive, brutal, cold, cold-eyed, cruel.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include insensitive, thick-skinned, indurate, cold-hearted, inhumane, ruthless.

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