callously
gb/kˈæləsli/ us/kˈæləsli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
C1
property
1
without sympathy or concern
In a cold and unkind way, without caring about others’ feelings.
Usage pattern:
[do something] callously; callously + [verb]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse this with the literal noun "callus" (hard skin). "Callously" is usually about emotions and behavior, not skin.
Synonyms
heartlessly (Emphasizes lack of compassion.)
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coldly (Stresses emotional distance or detachment.)
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cruelly (Suggests causing pain or being intentionally harsh.)
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brutally (Often implies shocking harshness or violence (literal or figurative).)
Antonyms
compassionately (With active sympathy and care for others.)
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kindly (With warmth and consideration.)
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sympathetically (Showing understanding and concern for someone’s feelings.)
Collocations
act callously
|behave callously
|treat someone callously
|speak callously
|respond callously
|dismiss something callously
|ignore something callously
|laugh callously
|remark callously
|callously indifferent
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|behavior
|ethics
Examples
- He callously dismissed her concerns as “drama.”
- The company callously cut benefits during the crisis.
- She spoke callously about the people who had lost their homes.
Learner examples
- Don’t talk callously about someone’s problems.
- He treated his coworkers callously.
Grammar
Dictionary form
callously
IPA
GB/kˈæləsli/
US/kˈæləsli/
Syllables & stress
cal - lously (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cal)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: callously
- Plural: callouslies
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.