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View synonyms for callous

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. pathol to make or become callous

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • callously adverb
  • callousness noun
  • uncallous adjective
  • uncallously adverb
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of callous1

C16: from Latin callōsus; see callus
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Synonym Study

See hard.
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Indeed, Dalia has trouble with her Italian, and when she offers to help him find truffles, he insists his granddaughter doesn’t have the instincts or the calloused hands necessary for the job.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When I ask them what they would like to say to the hackers responsible, they think it is futile to try to change the minds of these callous criminals.

Read more on BBC

Those who had marched off to war with youthful idealism and energy return home calloused, maybe wiser, but cynical.

A Belfast woman who "strung along" a seriously ill man with lies that she would donate her kidney to him has been branded "callous" and "not human".

Read more on BBC

“Fingers bruised from lifting boxes on the warehouse floor, palms calloused from delivery bike handlebars, knuckles scarred with kitchen burns: These are not hands that have been allowed to hold power,” he said.

Read more on Salon

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