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Definitions

callousness

[kal-uhs-nis] / ˈkæl əs nɪs /
NOUN
coarseness
Synonyms
STRONG
bawdiness boorishness crassness crudity harshness indelicacy offensiveness rawness ribaldry roughness smut smuttiness uncouthness unevenness
WEAK
earthiness poor taste unrefinement
Antonyms
WEAK
delicacy manners politeness refinement sophistication
NOUN
cruelty
Synonyms
STRONGEST
barbarism barbarity inhumanity malice persecution savagery torture
STRONG
animality bestiality bloodthirstiness coarseness coldness depravity despotism ferocity fierceness heartlessness insensibility insensitiveness malignity masochism mercilessness murderousness rancor ruthlessness sadism savageness severity spite spitefulness truculence unfeelingness unkindness venom viciousness wickedness
WEAK
brutishness fiendishness hard-heartedness
Antonyms
STRONGEST
kindness
STRONG
love
WEAK
charity compassion consideration feeling gentility mercy niceness thoughtfulness
NOUN
inconsequence
Synonyms
STRONG
alienation aloofness apathy carelessness coldness coolness detachment disdain disinterest disinterestedness dispassion disregard equity heedlessness immunity impartiality impassiveness impassivity inattention inertia insensitivity insignificance insouciance isolationism lack lethargy listlessness negligence neutrality nonchalance noninterference objectivity stoicism torpor unconcern unimportance unmindfulness
WEAK
cold shoulder cold-bloodedness inconsequentiality inconsequentialness insignificancy
Antonyms
STRONG
activity attention bias concern esteem interest life liveliness respect sympathy
NOUN
inconsequentiality
Synonyms
WEAK
alienation aloofness apathy carelessness cold shoulder cold-bloodedness coldness coolness detachment disdain disinterest disinterestedness dispassion disregard equity heedlessness immunity impartiality impassiveness impassivity inattention inconsequence inconsequentialness inertia insensitivity insignificance insignificancy insouciance isolationism lack lethargy listlessness negligence neutrality nonchalance noninterference objectivity stoicism torpor unconcern unimportance unmindfulness
NOUN
inconsequentialness
Synonyms
WEAK
alienation aloofness apathy carelessness cold shoulder cold-bloodedness coldness coolness detachment disdain disinterest disinterestedness dispassion disregard equity heedlessness immunity impartiality impassiveness impassivity inattention inconsequence inconsequentiality inertia insensitivity insignificance insignificancy insouciance isolationism lack lethargy listlessness negligence neutrality nonchalance noninterference objectivity stoicism torpor unconcern unimportance unmindfulness
NOUN
indifference
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alienation apathy carelessness disdain disinterest disregard inattention inertia insensitivity lack negligence nonchalance
STRONG
aloofness coldness coolness detachment disinterestedness dispassion equity heedlessness immunity impartiality impassiveness impassivity insouciance isolationism lethargy listlessness neutrality noninterference objectivity stoicism torpor unconcern unmindfulness
WEAK
cold shoulder cold-bloodedness
Antonyms
STRONGEST
attention esteem respect
STRONG
bias
WEAK
caring compassion concern feeling interest involvement regard sympathy
NOUN
ingratitude
Synonyms
STRONG
boorishness disloyalty inconsiderateness rudeness thoughtlessness
WEAK
thanklessness unthankfulness
Antonyms
WEAK
appreciation consideration gratitude
NOUN
inhumanity
Synonyms
STRONGEST
atrocity barbarism brutality cruelty ruthlessness savagery viciousness
STRONG
bloodthirstiness ferocity heartlessness maliciousness violence
WEAK
brutishness cold-bloodedness
Antonyms
STRONGEST
kindness niceness
NOUN
insignificancy
Synonyms
WEAK
alienation aloofness apathy carelessness cold shoulder cold-bloodedness coldness coolness detachment disdain disinterest disinterestedness dispassion disregard equity heedlessness immunity impartiality impassiveness impassivity inattention inconsequence inconsequentiality inconsequentialness inertia insensitivity insignificance insouciance isolationism lack lethargy listlessness negligence neutrality nonchalance noninterference objectivity stoicism torpor unconcern unimportance unmindfulness
NOUN
savagery
Synonyms
STRONGEST
barbarism barbarity brutality depravity ferocity inhumanity malice persecution ruthlessness severity viciousness
STRONG
animality bestiality bloodthirstiness coarseness coldness despotism fierceness heartlessness insensibility insensitiveness malignity masochism mercilessness murderousness rancor sadism savageness spite spitefulness torture truculence truculency unfeelingness unkindness venom wickedness
WEAK
brutishness fiendishness hard-heartedness
Antonyms
STRONGEST
kindness
STRONG
love
NOUN
thick skin
Synonyms
WEAK
apathy armor elephant skin formidable defenses hard shell imperviousness numbness rhinoceros hide thick hide thick shell unfeelingness
NOUN
truculence
Synonyms
STRONG
animality barbarism barbarity bestiality bloodthirstiness brutality coarseness coldness depravity despotism ferocity fierceness heartlessness inhumanity insensibility insensitiveness malice malignity masochism mercilessness murderousness persecution rancor ruthlessness sadism savageness savagery severity spite spitefulness torture truculency unfeelingness unkindness venom viciousness wickedness
WEAK
brutishness fiendishness hard-heartedness
Antonyms
STRONG
kindness love sympathy
NOUN
truculency
Synonyms
STRONG
animality barbarism barbarity bestiality bloodthirstiness brutality coarseness coldness depravity despotism ferocity fierceness heartlessness inhumanity insensibility insensitiveness malice malignity masochism mercilessness murderousness persecution rancor ruthlessness sadism savageness savagery severity spite spitefulness torture truculence unfeelingness unkindness venom viciousness wickedness
WEAK
brutishness fiendishness hard-heartedness
Antonyms
STRONG
kindness love sympathy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But in its way, AI also brings out the better angels of Valerie’s nature in the face of such callousness.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

There was a callousness about his exit and the brutal words about him from Desmond.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2026

We knew this from past cross-country trips, but we felt surprised all over again—perhaps because of the callousness we perceive among people we see in the news.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 8, 2025

One cannot demonstrate this like a mathematical proof, but this carelessness, or callousness, about human life seems linked to fatalistic, even nihilistic attitudes.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2025

They have a certain quality which it would not be accurate to describe as callousness or indifference.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.