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
Bobby is clearly in crisis and their disregard not only comes across as callous but strongly suggests a troubling home life.
—
R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
This version of Johnny is less callous with other people's feelings, and hopefully there's a self-awareness about what's driving that attention-seeking behavior.
—EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
The faceoff between Cara and the lion is an unmistakable callback to the series premiere, which opened with Cara gunning down a man in what initially appeared to be a callous act of violence (but is later revealed to be retribution for an assassination attempt on her family).
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Feb. 2025
However, the consensus is that the chaotic manner in which the recent US foreign assistance cuts were implemented was needlessly callous.
—Jennifer Lotito, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for callous
R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
This version of Johnny is less callous with other people's feelings, and hopefully there's a self-awareness about what's driving that attention-seeking behavior.
—EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
The faceoff between Cara and the lion is an unmistakable callback to the series premiere, which opened with Cara gunning down a man in what initially appeared to be a callous act of violence (but is later revealed to be retribution for an assassination attempt on her family).
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Feb. 2025
However, the consensus is that the chaotic manner in which the recent US foreign assistance cuts were implemented was needlessly callous.
—Jennifer Lotito, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for callous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for callous
Adjective
-
Confronting Iran’s ruthless campaign of terror, nuclear ambitions, and regional aggression demands strength, resolve, and strategic clarity.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
21 June 2025
-
Michael Fassbender plays the deceased Apple guru — a flawed, ruthless, but ultimately compassionate soul.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
But in the face of an increasingly merciless healthcare system, the battered team must put aside their differences and pull together to save lives.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2025
-
The film is cold-bloodedly whimsical, asking the audience to root for a merciless man who endeavors, ever so incrementally, to understand some deeper human truths.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Callous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/callous. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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