Synonyms

thick skin

Idioms

Insensitivity to criticism or insult, as in You can tell him exactly what you think of his new piece; unlike most composers he has a thick skin. This term transfers an impervious outer coating to mental or emotional toughness. [Mid-1500s]

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.

thick skin

As a kid in Aberdeen, he'd grown up as a Celtic fan - something he says that required a thick skin.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

"If you can develop a super thick skin and be persistent and resilient, it will serve you well," he says.

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026

But sellers who invite critiques of their listings on the online platform need a thick skin.

From MarketWatch ● May 13, 2026

She has a thick skin, a gift from her father.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026

Explosives would be arranged around the plutonium, like a very thick skin around a fruit.

From "Bomb" by Steve Sheinkin

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023