callous

[kal-uhs]

adjective

1. made hard; hardened.

   Synonyms: hard
   Antonyms: soft

2. insensitive; indifferent; unsympathetic.

   They have a callous attitude toward the sufferings of others.

   Synonyms: obtuse, insensible
   Antonyms: sensitive

3. having a callus; indurated, as parts of the skin exposed to friction.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become hard or callous.

callous

/ ˈkæləs /

adjective

1. unfeeling; insensitive

2. (of skin) hardened and thickened

verb

1. pathol to make or become callous

Other Word Forms

• callously adverb
• callousness noun
• uncallous adjective
• uncallously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of callous¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English from Latin callōsus “hard-skinned, tough,” equivalent to call(um) “tough skin, any hard substance” + -ōsus -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of callous¹

C16: from Latin callōsus; see _callus

Synonym Study

See hard.

Example Sentences

The only results were brutal retaliation within the walls and callous apathy from state officials.

From Los Angeles Times

But there’s always a less indecent, a less callous, a less ugly way.

From Los Angeles Times

A support dog at Magilligan Prison in County Londonderry has been removed due to a "callous and calculated threat", the Northern Ireland Prison Service has said.

From BBC

He carried out the "callous" plot as he saw Mr O'Hara as an "obstacle" to Kwan's inheritance of his mother's St Thomas Street' home in the event of her death, the panel heard.

From BBC

After facing widespread condemnation, he apologized on Sunday for what he called his “extremely callous remarks.”

From Salon

Related Words

• apathetic 
• careless 
• cold-blooded 
• heartless 
• indifferent 
• insensitive 
• uncaring www.thesaurus.com
• unsympathetic