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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of callous
Miss Manners has noticed that forms for responding to social invitations have gotten harsher and harsher, as prospective guests have gotten increasingly more callous.
—
Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026
Markets are callous and only react meaningfully when these events impact economic fundamentals or lead to a change in policy.
—Chloe Taylor,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
In addition to callous disregard for former Marylanders’ livelihoods and well-being, by not maintaining the voter rolls, the State Board of Elections disrespects every single Marylander who has a right to vote.
—Nicolee Ambrose, Baltimore Sun, 13 Jan. 2026
The valuation gods declared a winner in the quest to be America’s premier New York radio station, the callous observer might say.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for callous
Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026
Markets are callous and only react meaningfully when these events impact economic fundamentals or lead to a change in policy.
—Chloe Taylor,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
In addition to callous disregard for former Marylanders’ livelihoods and well-being, by not maintaining the voter rolls, the State Board of Elections disrespects every single Marylander who has a right to vote.
—Nicolee Ambrose, Baltimore Sun, 13 Jan. 2026
The valuation gods declared a winner in the quest to be America’s premier New York radio station, the callous observer might say.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for callous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for callous
Adjective
-
The helmet’s symbolism directs the world to the atrocities being committed upon an innocent, sovereign nation undergoing ruthless destruction.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
During this ruthless era, famous women were sorted into a stringent binary.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But in the shadows, amid growing unease at the blood-thirsty actions of the realm’s merciless Mad King, dissenters from his inner circle anxiously advance a treasonous plot.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Fleeing into the desert with her father, she is hunted by a merciless army and forced to trust a legendary bandit (Mackie) with secrets of his own.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
High Street began to slope upward, and the terrain became stonier around the sides of the road as Revere and his horse, Brown Beauty, ascended Rock Hill.—
Kostya Kennedy,
Time,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The area is populated with stony terraces and narrow streets where bistros serve good Italian food (this being so close to the Italian border) and markets to shop for artisanal items.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Callous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/callous. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
