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callous

1 of 2adjective
/ˈkæləs/
Forms:more callous,most callous
1

showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for the feelings or suffering of others

C2
  • The manager's callous decision to lay off employees without notice shocked the entire team.
  • His callous remarks about the tragedy demonstrated a lack of empathy for those affected.
  • Despite her friend's difficult situation, she remained callous and indifferent to their struggles.
  • The politician's callous policies ignored the needs of vulnerable populations.
  • The teacher's callous treatment of students who struggled with the material created a negative learning environment.
2

physically hardened from friction or repeated use

  • His callous hands showed years of manual labor.
  • The callous soles of her feet made walking barefoot easy.
  • Guitarists often develop callous fingertips from constant practice.
  • The callous patch on his palm was from lifting weights.
  • Her callous heels needed moisturizing after the hike.