callous Definition
- 1showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others
- 2having an area of hardened skin; having calluses
Using callous: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "callous" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She was callous towards her employees' needs.
Example
The politician's callous remarks caused outrage among the public.
Example
Years of hard work had left his hands calloused.
Example
The callous surface of the rock made it difficult to climb.
callous Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for callous
- heartless
- unsympathetic
- indifferent
- unfeeling
- cold-hearted
Antonyms for callous
- compassionate
- empathetic
- kind
- sensitive
- tender-hearted
Phrases with callous
Example
The company's callous disregard for the environment led to a major oil spill.
Example
The patient complained about the callous treatment she received from the hospital staff.
Example
His callous attitude towards the homeless was shocking.
Origins of callous
from Latin 'callosus', meaning 'hard-skinned'
Summary: callous in Brief
'Callous' [ˈkæləs] is an adjective that describes someone who is insensitive and cruel towards others. It can also refer to having hardened skin, as in 'Years of hard work had left his hands calloused.' The phrase 'callous disregard' denotes a complete lack of concern or sympathy for others, while 'callous treatment' refers to unfeeling or harsh treatment of someone.