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
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Recent Examples of callous
To those who favor a strategy of American global leadership, the move was callous and irresponsible, damaging U.S. credibility and squandering the relationships and soft power that Washington has built over decades.
—
Jennifer Lind, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
The tragedy is one of several similar incidents of mass death among migrants who put their lives into the hands of callous smugglers to make it to the U.S.
In 2017 in San Antonio, 10 immigrants died after being trapped in a truck parked outside of a Walmart.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Immigrant rights advocates say the use of tents in a remote swamp during peak summer heat shows a callous disregard for the health and dignity of detainees.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025
Inside Iran, the people have made their suffering — and their opposition to their callous government — clear.
—Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for callous
Jennifer Lind, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
The tragedy is one of several similar incidents of mass death among migrants who put their lives into the hands of callous smugglers to make it to the U.S.
In 2017 in San Antonio, 10 immigrants died after being trapped in a truck parked outside of a Walmart.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Immigrant rights advocates say the use of tents in a remote swamp during peak summer heat shows a callous disregard for the health and dignity of detainees.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025
Inside Iran, the people have made their suffering — and their opposition to their callous government — clear.
—Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for callous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for callous
Adjective
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As a member of a crew that robs banks, Mr. Blonde is the most ruthless.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
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As they’re hunted by a ruthless drug gang led by the menacing Power (Aidan Gillen), their fight for survival becomes a journey of redemption.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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Frank Trapper / Contributor/Corbis Entertainment Lydia is a high-ranking and merciless executive at Madrigal Electromotive who helps supply Walt's meth operation.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
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While Charlie Brown played things safe, Snoopy lived an exuberant life in his imagination, casting himself as a frustrated novelist, gleeful dancer, merciless attorney and even a prolific flying ace in a World War I Sopwith Camel.—
Chris Carra,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Callous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/callous. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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