Heartless Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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heartless
[ˈhɑːrtləs ]
Definition
lacking compassion
Having or showing a lack of pity or compassion; cruel or unfeeling. The term 'heartless' is often used to describe someone who is indifferent to the suffering of others.
Synonyms
callous, cold-hearted, cruel, unfeeling, unsympathetic.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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heartless |
Used to describe someone who shows no compassion or care for others' feelings.
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cruel |
Used when someone intentionally causes pain and suffering, often with a sense of pleasure in doing so. It has a strongly negative connotation.
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unfeeling |
Describes someone who lacks emotional sensitivity or concern for others' emotions, often implying a natural incapacity to feel.
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cold-hearted |
Describes someone who is emotionally detached and shows no affection or warmth, similar to 'heartless' but with an added sense of intentional detachment.
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callous |
Used when someone is insensitive and indifferent to the suffering of others, often suggesting a hard or thick skin.
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unsympathetic |
Used when someone lacks sympathy or concern for others' difficulties or suffering, often in situations where empathy is expected.
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Examples of usage
- She was heartless, leaving the poor puppy out in the cold.
- The heartless dictator showed no mercy towards his own people.
- The heartless decision to lay off hundreds of employees left many families struggling to make ends meet.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Origin of 'heartless'
The word 'heartless' originated from Middle English, combining 'heart' with the suffix '-less', indicating the absence of heart or compassion. Over the centuries, the term has been used to describe individuals who lack empathy or kindness towards others.
See also: brokenhearted, dishearten, disheartened, disheartening, halfheartedly, heart, heartache, heartbeat, heartbreak, heartbreaker, heartbreaking, heartbreakingly, heartbroken, heartening, heartfelt, heartily, heartland, heartlessly, heartlessness, heartsease, heartthrob, heartwarming, hearty.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #18,153, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.
- ...
- 18150 utilise
- 18151 unconsciousness
- 18152 alibi
- 18153 heartless
- 18154 eschatological
- 18155 truncate
- 18156 excavating
- ...