Synonyms of callous

callous

adjective

ˈka-ləs 

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

• ruthless
• merciless
• stony
• heartless
• hard
• abusive
• insensitive
• cruel
• pitiless
• unfeeling
• hateful
• compassionless
• oppressive
• harsh
• inhumane
• malicious
• brutal
• inhuman
• hard-hearted
• remorseless
• unsympathetic
• uncharitable
• soulless
• vicious
• stern
• insensate
• unmerciful
• grim
• obdurate
• tough
• cold-blooded
• unsparing
• desensitized
• indurate
• thick-skinned
• affectless
• slash-and-burn
• uncaring
• take-no-prisoners
• thoughtless
• hard-boiled
• severe
• pachydermatous
• savage
• inconsiderate
• case-hardened
• unthinking
• boorish
• mean
• rough
• unloving
• spiteful
• ironhearted
• unfriendly
• heedless
• stonyhearted
• ungentle
• malevolent
• disagreeable
• cold
• virulent
• surly
• heavy-handed
• brutish
• barbarous
• bestial
• acrimonious
• rough-and-tumble
• ill-natured
• jackbooted
• rancorous
• ironfisted
• hard-bitten
• evil-minded
• sledgehammer
• ironhanded
• ill-tempered
• austere
• frosty
• knock-down, drag-out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sympathetic
• warm
• sensitive
• charitable
• compassionate
• merciful
• humane
• gentle
• kindly
• benevolent
• kind
• tender
• mild
• lenient
• indulgent
• kindhearted
• softhearted
• friendly
• gracious
• tenderhearted
• warmhearted
• cordial
• benignant
• tolerant
• loving
• affectionate
• good-natured
• understanding
• fond
• clement
• good-tempered

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of callous

This is a callous continuation of the ongoing campaign by the same individuals and groups targeting Jewish people and the state of Israel, a pattern of antisemitism and misinformation that puts our community in grave danger. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Over the last year, advocates have collected declarations from scores of detainees describing inedible food, substandard medical care and callous treatment at the hands of guards and staff. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Trump and his people operated under the kind of paranoia and callous disregard for military and civilian lives that have characterized the president’s time in office. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2026

Although humanity’s salvation may appear to come in fits and starts, God’s healing influence always penetrates and gets through callous self-righteousness and indifference. — Mark Swinney, Christian Science Monitor, 21 July 2026

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