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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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Derived Forms

  • ˈcallously, adverb
  • ˈcallousness, noun
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Other Words From

  • cal·lous·ly adverb
  • cal·lous·ness noun
  • un·cal·lous adjective
  • un·cal·lous·ly 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

Kwan, who admitted attempted murder after the first day of his trial, was described as "calculated and callous" by the sentencing judge.

From BBC

The judge said the letters Kwan forged were "sophisticated" and Kwan gained entry to Mr O'Hara's home in "the most calculated and callous way", adding it "struck at the heart of public confidence" in the NHS.

From BBC

“Such callous disregard for others and cavalier use of violence cannot and will not be tolerated. These defendants will now appropriately face justice for their crimes.”

At sentencing, Mr Justice Goose described Crawley as a "highly dangerous young man" who inflicted "callous cruelty" on Paul Taylor.

From BBC

In many death penalty case, Thomas expresses profound empathy for the victim and their family, then leverages this empathy to justify callous disregard for the defendant’s life.

From Slate

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