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Definition of callousness

callousness

/ˈkæl.əs.nəs/
cal · lous · ness
Adverb:callously
•
Adjective:callous
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callousness Lexical Profile

callousness Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Insensitive and cruel disregard for the feelings or suffering of others; emotional hardness.

Example

"The public was shocked by the official's callousness toward the displaced families."

2

The state or quality of having hardened, thickened skin.

Example

"Years of manual labor had left a noticeable callousness on the palms of his hands."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for callousness

• Nearby Words

callous
calloused
callously
callousness
callout
callow
callsign

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in English from the adjective 'callous' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ness'; 'callous' derives from the Latin 'callosus' (thick-skinned), from 'callum' (hard skin), extended figuratively to describe emotional hardness.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Callousness. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/callousness
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