Callous: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is used to describe someone who is emotionally hardened and shows no sympathy for others, often in a very direct or harsh manner.

• His callous disregard for other people's feelings made him very unpopular.
• The callous way she handled the situation left many people feeling hurt.

This term is used to describe someone who shows a complete lack of compassion or empathy, often in situations where kindness is expected. It has a strong negative connotation.

• Her heartless refusal to help the homeless made everyone around her uncomfortable.
• The judge was criticized for his heartless sentencing.

This word describes someone or something that intentionally causes pain or suffering to others, both physically and emotionally. It carries a strong negative connotation.

• He was known for his cruel treatment of animals.
• The cruel comments she made about her friend were completely uncalled for.

This word is used to describe someone who fails to recognize or care about other people's feelings or needs, often due to a lack of awareness rather than intentional cruelty.

• His insensitive comment about her weight made everyone gasp.
• She can be quite insensitive to her coworkers' personal problems.

This word refers to a person who is insensitive and does not show concern for others. It has a negative connotation.

• His callous remarks about the tragedy upset everyone.
• She was shocked by his callous attitude towards their problems.

This term specifically refers to a type of callus that usually forms on the toes or the sides of the feet. It is often used in medical contexts, but also in everyday language when speaking about foot care.

• The corn on her toe made walking very painful.
• Wearing tight shoes can lead to the formation of corns on your feet.

This term is used in medical or anatomical contexts to describe a hardened area of skin, usually due to friction or pressure. It is a more technical term and less commonly used in everyday language.

• The patient has a callosity on the sole of his foot from years of walking barefoot.
• Callosities on the hands can be common among manual laborers.