hard-hearted

adjective

hard-heart·​ed ˈhärd-ˈhär-təd How to pronounce hard-hearted (audio)
: lacking in sympathetic understanding : unfeeling, pitiless
hard-heartedly adverb
hard-heartedness noun

Examples of hard-hearted in a Sentence

a hard-hearted brush-off to a homeless man asking for money
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In the face of such terror, even hard-hearted Sam has to crumble. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 June 2024 Technically Shaw is a mercenary, but not a cynical or hard-hearted one. Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 11 Feb. 2024 Xi and his team haven’t shown much more concern than the hard-hearted villagers of Lu Xun’s story. Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 29 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hard-hearted was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near hard-hearted

Cite this Entry

“Hard-hearted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-hearted. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

hard-hearted

adjective
hard-heart·​ed
-ˈhärt-əd
hard-heartedly adverb
hard-heartedness noun
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