as in ruthless
having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings
the callous comment "It's just a fish," when the boy's pet died, made him cry
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Recent Examples of callous
The result: resurgence of a cruel, callous form of capitalism called moral menace.
—
Valerie L. Myers, The Conversation, 3 July 2025
This kind of like callous way of not wanting to believe.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2025
To those who favor a strategy of American global leadership, the move was callous and irresponsible, damaging U.S. credibility and squandering the relationships and soft power that Washington has built over decades.
—Jennifer Lind, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
The tragedy is one of several similar incidents of mass death among migrants who put their lives into the hands of callous smugglers to make it to the U.S.
In 2017 in San Antonio, 10 immigrants died after being trapped in a truck parked outside of a Walmart.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for callous
Valerie L. Myers, The Conversation, 3 July 2025
This kind of like callous way of not wanting to believe.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2025
To those who favor a strategy of American global leadership, the move was callous and irresponsible, damaging U.S. credibility and squandering the relationships and soft power that Washington has built over decades.
—Jennifer Lind, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
The tragedy is one of several similar incidents of mass death among migrants who put their lives into the hands of callous smugglers to make it to the U.S.
In 2017 in San Antonio, 10 immigrants died after being trapped in a truck parked outside of a Walmart.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for callous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for callous
Adjective
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The initial plan was to use the Indigenous Taino population to work the fields, but this population was quickly decimated by genocidal conquest, ruthless working conditions as well as novel diseases brought by the Europeans.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 July 2025
-
The role of Chris Partlow, Marlo Stanfield's top lieutenant and ruthless hitman, was the first screen credit for Gbenga Akinnagbe.—
Derek Lawrence,
EW.com,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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Private equity moving into professional sports conjures the same fears of merciless efficiency in an industry driven by sentimentality, but Arougheti brushes off the concerns, arguing that institutional capital will increase profitability and allow owners to invest more in their teams.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
21 July 2025
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Beyond the numbers is the human toll of Trump’s merciless campaign.—
South Florida Sun Sentinel,
Sun Sentinel,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Callous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/callous. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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