CALLOUS Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

callous

adjective

ˈka-ləs

as in ruthless

having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings the callous comment "It's just a fish," when the boy's pet died, made him cry

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of callous As the only female taxi driver working her corner of Nigeria’s heaving metropolis, Lady is accustomed to underestimation by a callous patriarchy, and staunchly resists the gender normatives implied by her name. —

Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026 When others questioned that portrayal by citing Kirk’s more callous stances—on immigrants, guns, and trans people—Trump saw an opportunity to further pursue his anti-dissent agenda. —

Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2026 Miss Manners has noticed that forms for responding to social invitations have gotten harsher and harsher, as prospective guests have gotten increasingly more callous. —

Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026 Markets are callous and only react meaningfully when these events impact economic fundamentals or lead to a change in policy. —

Chloe Taylor,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for callous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for callous

Adjective

Typewriters, stationery, fine-art museums, the quintessential impressionist painter—these are all associated with taste, beauty, and craft, as well as with intentionality and care, the opposite of the ruthless technological efficiency that repels many from generative AI.

— Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Even if the film doesn’t co-sign her ideology, Ursula is the most nuanced of the ruthless killers, and Gellar is adept at digging into the character’s ambiguity and shifting priorities.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026