Word Explorer

Callous

/ˈkæləs/

Emotionally hardened; unfeeling and indifferent to the suffering/feelings of others.

Full Dictionary Entry

📖 Definitions of "Callous"

adjective

1
Emotionally hardened; unfeeling and indifferent to the suffering/feelings of others.
"She was so callous that she could criticise a cancer patient for wearing a wig."
2
Having calluses.

noun

1
A hardened area of the skin (especially on the foot or hand) caused by repeated friction, wear or use.
2
The material of repair in fractures of bone; a substance exuded at the site of fracture, which is at first soft or cartilaginous in consistency, but is ultimately converted into true bone and unites the fragments into a single piece.
3
The new formation over the end of a cutting, before it puts out rootlets.
4
A shining area on the frons of many species of Tabanomorpha (horse flies and relatives).

🔄 Synonyms of "Callous"

3 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
indurateverb	To harden or to grow hard.
insensitive	Expressing or feeling little or no concern, care, compassion, or consideration for the feelings, emotions, sentiments, or concerns of other people; inconsiderate or incompassionate.
thick-skinned	Not easily offended.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Callous"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
insensitive	Expressing or feeling little or no concern, care, compassion, or consideration for the feelings, emotions, sentiments, or concerns of other people; inconsiderate or incompassionate.
thick-skinned	Not easily offended.
indurate	Obstinate, unfeeling, callous.
cold-hearted	Without sympathy, feeling or compassion; callous or heartless.
inhumane	Alternative form of inhuman: lacking pity or compassion for misery and suffering; cruel, unkind. [Of or pertaining to inhumanity and the indifferently cruel, sadistic or barbaric behavior it brings.]
ruthless	Without pity or compassion; cruel, pitiless.
unkind	Lacking kindness, sympathy, benevolence, gratitude, or similar; cruel, harsh or unjust; ungrateful.
pitiless	Having, or showing, no pity; merciless, ruthless.
merciless	Showing no mercy; cruel and pitiless.
inhuman	Of or pertaining to inhumanity and the indifferently cruel, sadistic or barbaric behavior it brings.
cruel	Intentionally causing or reveling in pain and suffering; merciless, heartless.
crueltynoun	(uncountable) An indifference to suffering or pleasure in inflicting suffering.
unmerciful	not showing mercy
unforgiving	Unwilling or unable to forgive or show mercy.
numb	Physically unable to feel, not having the power of sensation.
oblivious	(usually with to or of) Lacking awareness; unmindful; unaware, unconscious of.
uncaring	Characterized by a lack of care; not caring.
uninterested	Not interested; indifferent, not concerned.
indifferent	Ambivalent; unconcerned; uninterested, apathetic.
unmoved	Not affected emotionally, or not showing emotion.