Synonyms of hard-hearted

hard-hearted

adjective

ˈhärd-ˈhär-təd 

as in ruthless

having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings

a hard-hearted brush-off to a homeless man asking for money

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hard-hearted

Now, our narrow-minded and hard-hearted lawmakers and education overseers do not want undocumented students in Florida to get a college education. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026

Yet the very readiness with which the hard-hearted General Tilney believes this account suggests that he is used to reliable reports of other people’s wealth. — Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025

That makes perfect sense to all but the closed-minded or hard-hearted. — Jim Newton, Mercury News, 27 June 2025

And each registered the other’s contention with the hard-hearted energy of her own physical craving. — Jim Shepard, New Yorker, 8 June 2025

Joel, a hard-hearted smuggler, and Ellie, a headstrong teenager immune to the fungal pandemic that’s decimated the planet. — Adam B. Vary, Variety, 5 Mar. 2025

The hard-hearted treatment of men is on full display throughout Cecot. — David Culver, CNN, 6 Nov. 2024

In the face of such terror, even hard-hearted Sam has to crumble. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 June 2024