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View synonyms for

callous

[kal-uhs]

adjective

  1. made hard; hardened.

    Synonyms:
    Antonyms:
  2. insensitive; indifferent; unsympathetic.

    They have a callous attitude toward the sufferings of others.

    Synonyms: ,
    Antonyms:
  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

/ ˈæə /

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
  • ˈdzܲ adverb
  • ˈdzܲԱ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of callous1

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

Origin of callous1

C16: from Latin ōܲ; see callus
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Synonym Study

See hard.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It is making us more callous and less thoughtful to others.

From

But while most of the media focused on her act, her follow-up spin was, if anything, even more callous.

From

"I'd like to advise migrants if they'll listen to me. I'd like to beg them to stay in their countries," she said, further cautioning of the callous attitudes of many traffickers.

From

If you are that callous, I don’t have much to say to you.

From

The band’s hardcore devotees may wonder if AC/DC may be slightly callous or merely driven, as their career suggests.

From

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Callotcallousness