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

Derived Forms

• ˈcallously, adverb
• ˈcallousness, noun

Other Words From

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

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

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.”

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

"From that time up to her death, Isabella was subjected to a regime of escalating brutality which was callous, cruel and ultimately fatal."

From BBC

The section of Smith's report that served as inspiration for the ad lays out an incredibly callous response to the rioting and violence of January 6 by then-president Trump.

From Salon

Related Words

• apathetic
• careless
• cold-blooded
• heartless
• indifferent
• insensitive
• uncaring
• unsympathetic