Synonyms of callous

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ruthless
• merciless
• heartless
• stony
• hard
• abusive
• insensitive
• cruel
• pitiless
• unfeeling
• hateful
• oppressive
• compassionless
• harsh
• malicious
• inhumane
• brutal
• inhuman
• hard-hearted
• remorseless
• unsympathetic
• uncharitable
• soulless
• vicious
• insensate
• unmerciful
• tough
• obdurate
• cold-blooded
• stern
• unsparing
• desensitized
• indurate
• thick-skinned
• grim
• affectless
• slash-and-burn
• stoney
• case-hardened
• uncaring
• take-no-prisoners
• thoughtless
• hard-boiled
• severe
• savage
• pachydermatous
• inconsiderate
• unthinking
• mean
• boorish
• unloving
• rough
• spiteful
• ironhearted
• unfriendly
• heedless
• stonyhearted
• ungentle
• malevolent
• disagreeable
• virulent
• cold
• surly
• heavy-handed
• brutish
• barbarous
• bestial
• acrimonious
• rough-and-tumble
• ill-natured
• ill-tempered
• jackbooted
• rancorous
• ironfisted
• hard-bitten
• sledgehammer
• evil-minded
• ironhanded
• austere
• knock-down-and-drag-out
• frosty
• knock-down, drag-out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sympathetic
• warm
• sensitive
• charitable
• compassionate
• merciful
• humane
• gentle
• kindly
• benevolent
• kind
• tender
• mild
• lenient
• indulgent
• kindhearted
• softhearted
• friendly
• gracious
• tenderhearted
• warmhearted
• cordial
• benignant
• tolerant
• loving
• affectionate
• good-natured
• understanding
• fond
• clement
• good-tempered

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of callous

Adult human beings—even the callous, tone-deaf, emotionally immature ones—demonstrate an understanding of death that is remarkable in its sophistication. —Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024

Prosecutors painted a picture of callous enablement that eventually ended in Perry’s tragic demise. —Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2024

While visiting with survivors, the former president at one point threw paper towels into the crowd when distributing supplies, a move that was criticized as callous amid widespread frustration over the federal response to the hurricane that left much of the island without power and food. —Nidia Cavazos, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2024

For those who haven’t recognized the callous opportunism inherent to Donald Trump and his cronies, perhaps The Penguin’s putrid embodiment of those traits will nudge them closer to seeing one hideous monster in the other. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024

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