Top 46 Slang For Callous – Meaning & Usage

When it comes to expressing toughness or indifference, using the right slang can make all the difference. In our latest listicle, we’ve curated the top slang terms for callous behavior, so you can stay in the know and up your cool factor. Let’s dive in and explore the language of indifference like never before!

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1. Cold-hearted

This term refers to someone who is emotionally distant and shows no sympathy or concern for others.

For example, “She broke up with him without any explanation, she can be so cold-hearted.”
In a discussion about a difficult boss, someone might say, “He’s known for his cold-hearted management style.”
A person might describe a character in a movie as “cold-hearted” if they show no remorse for their actions.

2. Heartless

This word describes someone who is completely lacking in empathy or sympathy towards others.

For instance, “He walked away without helping, he’s so heartless.”
In a conversation about a selfish act, someone might comment, “That was a heartless thing to do.”
A person might use the term “heartless” to describe a corporation that prioritizes profit over the well-being of its employees.

3. Cruel

This term refers to someone who takes pleasure in causing harm or suffering to others.

For example, “He made fun of her in front of everyone, that was so cruel.”
In a discussion about a harsh punishment, someone might say, “That seems unnecessarily cruel.”
A person might describe a dictator as “cruel” if they oppress and mistreat their citizens.

4. Unfeeling

This word describes someone who is emotionally detached and does not show empathy or compassion towards others.

For instance, “She didn’t even react when I told her the news, she’s so unfeeling.”
In a conversation about a person’s lack of empathy, someone might comment, “He’s completely unfeeling towards others.”
A person might describe a character in a book as “unfeeling” if they are portrayed as emotionless and indifferent.

5. Ruthless

This term describes someone who is relentless and shows no consideration for the feelings or well-being of others.

For example, “He will do anything to get ahead, he’s ruthless.”
In a discussion about a cutthroat business environment, someone might say, “You have to be ruthless to succeed.”
A person might use the term “ruthless” to describe a leader who makes tough decisions without considering the impact on others.

6. Insensitive

This term describes someone who is indifferent or unsympathetic towards the feelings or experiences of others.

For example, “His insensitive comment about her appearance hurt her feelings.”
In a discussion about social issues, someone might say, “We need to address the insensitive attitudes that perpetuate discrimination.”
A person might criticize a movie for its portrayal of an insensitive character, saying, “The film’s depiction of the antagonist as an insensitive bully was unrealistic.”

7. Harsh

When used as slang, “harsh” refers to something that is unkind, severe, or overly critical.

For instance, “Her harsh words left him feeling hurt and humiliated.”
In a debate, someone might say, “Your criticism of their work is too harsh; try offering constructive feedback instead.”
A person might describe a punishment as harsh, saying, “The judge handed down a harsh sentence for a relatively minor offense.”

8. Brutal

This term describes something that is extremely harsh, violent, or unrelenting.

For example, “The brutal murder shocked the entire community.”
In a discussion about a difficult workout, someone might say, “That exercise routine is absolutely brutal.”
A person might describe a competitive sport as brutal, saying, “The physicality of rugby can be brutal, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.”

9. Merciless

When used as slang, “merciless” describes someone or something that is without pity or compassion.

For instance, “The merciless dictator ruled with an iron fist.”
In a discussion about a challenging boss, someone might say, “He’s merciless; he expects perfection and shows no mercy for mistakes.”
A person might describe a difficult test as merciless, saying, “That exam was merciless; I barely had time to finish.”

10. Inhuman

This term describes behavior or actions that are devoid of empathy or humanity.

For example, “The inhuman treatment of prisoners was widely criticized.”
In a discussion about a heartless act, someone might say, “Leaving someone stranded in the middle of nowhere is inhuman.”
A person might describe a brutal act of violence as inhuman, saying, “The attacker’s actions were truly inhuman.”

11. Stony-hearted

This term describes someone who is cold and unfeeling, showing no sympathy or understanding towards others.

For example, “He was stony-hearted and didn’t care about the suffering of those less fortunate.”
In a discussion about a heartless character in a book, someone might say, “The villain in the story is truly stony-hearted.”
A person describing a heartbreak might say, “After what he did, I feel like my ex is stony-hearted.”

12. Callous

Callous refers to someone who is emotionally hardened and insensitive to the feelings or suffering of others.

For instance, “After years of working in the medical field, she had become callous to the pain of others.”
In a conversation about a boss who doesn’t care about their employees, someone might say, “He’s completely callous and doesn’t even acknowledge our hard work.”
A person sharing a personal experience might say, “I used to be callous towards others, but I’ve learned to be more empathetic.”

13. Unsympathetic

This term describes someone who is indifferent to the emotions or needs of others, showing no sympathy or understanding.

For example, “He was unsympathetic to her struggles and didn’t offer any support.”
In a discussion about a politician’s response to a crisis, someone might say, “Their unsympathetic remarks only further angered the affected community.”
A person describing a difficult encounter might say, “The customer service representative was completely unsympathetic to my issue.”

14. Pitiless

Pitiless refers to someone who is ruthless and lacks compassion or mercy towards others.

For instance, “The dictator was pitiless and showed no remorse for the suffering of his people.”
In a conversation about a harsh punishment, someone might say, “The judge was pitiless and gave the maximum sentence.”
A person describing a heartless action might say, “It was pitiless of them to ignore the pleas for help.”

15. Hard-hearted

This term describes someone who is cold and unfeeling, showing no empathy or compassion towards others.

For example, “She was hard-hearted and didn’t shed a tear at the sad movie.”
In a discussion about a character’s lack of compassion, someone might say, “The protagonist’s hard-hearted nature made it difficult to root for them.”
A person describing a disappointing experience might say, “The company’s hard-hearted response to my complaint was disheartening.”

16. Tough

This term refers to someone who is emotionally resilient or hardened, often to the point of being callous or unfeeling.

For example, “He grew up in a tough neighborhood and learned to be tough himself.”
In a conversation about dealing with difficult situations, someone might say, “Sometimes you just have to be tough and push through.”
A person might describe themselves as tough, saying, “I’ve been through a lot in life, so I’ve become tough.”

17. Unemotional

This term describes someone who lacks emotion or shows little to no emotional response. It implies a lack of empathy or sympathy towards others.

For instance, in a discussion about relationships, someone might say, “He’s completely unemotional and doesn’t show any affection.”
In a conversation about a sad event, a person might comment, “She seemed unemotional throughout the whole ordeal.”
A character in a book or movie might be described as unemotional, saying, “He never cries or shows any emotion. He’s always unemotional.”

18. Indifferent

This term describes someone who is unconcerned, uninterested, or lacking in care or sympathy. It implies a lack of emotional investment or attachment.

For example, in a discussion about a social issue, someone might comment, “Many people are indifferent to the suffering of others.”
In a conversation about a difficult decision, a person might say, “I’m indifferent about which option we choose. It doesn’t really matter to me.”
A character in a story might be described as indifferent, saying, “He didn’t care about anyone or anything. He was completely indifferent.”

19. Unkind

This term describes someone who is lacking in kindness or compassion. It implies a deliberate choice to be unkind or uncaring towards others.

For instance, in a discussion about a mean-spirited action, someone might say, “That was really unkind of you.”
In a conversation about a rude comment, a person might comment, “She can be so unkind with her words.”
A character in a book or movie might be described as unkind, saying, “He always puts others down and never shows any kindness. He’s really unkind.”

20. Aloof

This term describes someone who is emotionally detached or disinterested. It implies a sense of being unapproachable or uninvolved.

For example, in a discussion about a person’s behavior, someone might say, “He’s always aloof and never wants to join in.”
In a conversation about a party, a person might comment, “She seemed aloof and didn’t talk to anyone.”
A character in a story might be described as aloof, saying, “He keeps to himself and doesn’t show much interest in others. He’s always aloof.”

21. Uncompassionate

This term refers to someone who lacks compassion or empathy towards others. It describes a person who is cold and indifferent to the feelings and needs of others.

For example, “She showed her uncompassionate side when she ignored the homeless person asking for help.”
In a discussion about a cruel act, someone might say, “That was so uncompassionate of them.”
A person describing a difficult boss might say, “He’s known for being uncompassionate and unsympathetic towards his employees.”

22. Inconsiderate

This term describes someone who is careless or negligent of others’ feelings or needs. It refers to a person who acts without consideration for the impact of their actions on others.

For instance, “It was inconsiderate of him to play loud music late at night while his neighbors were trying to sleep.”
In a conversation about rude behavior, someone might say, “That was so inconsiderate of them.”
A person describing a friend’s behavior might say, “She can be inconsiderate at times and doesn’t think about how her actions affect others.”

23. Unempathetic

This term describes someone who lacks empathy or the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It refers to a person who is emotionally detached and indifferent towards the experiences and emotions of others.

For example, “His unempathetic response to her struggles showed a lack of understanding.”
In a discussion about a person’s lack of empathy, someone might say, “They’re known for being unempathetic and unsympathetic.”
A person describing a coworker’s behavior might say, “He’s unempathetic and doesn’t seem to care about the challenges others face.”

24. Unforgiving

This term describes someone who is unwilling or unable to forgive or show mercy. It refers to a person who holds grudges and is harsh or severe in their judgments or actions.

For instance, “Her unforgiving nature made it difficult for her to move on from past conflicts.”
In a conversation about someone’s inability to forgive, someone might say, “They’re so unforgiving and hold onto anger for a long time.”
A person describing a strict teacher might say, “He’s unforgiving and rarely gives second chances.”

25. Uncharitable

This term describes someone who is unwilling or reluctant to give or help others. It refers to a person who is tightfisted or lacking in generosity.

For example, “His uncharitable behavior was evident when he refused to donate to the charity.”
In a discussion about someone’s lack of generosity, someone might say, “They’re known for being uncharitable and never offering to help.”
A person describing a friend’s behavior might say, “She can be uncharitable at times and rarely shares or gives.”

26. Unmerciful

This term describes someone or something that shows no mercy or compassion. It is often used to describe a person who is extremely callous and uncaring.

For example, “The dictator ruled with an unmerciful iron fist.”
In a discussion about a harsh punishment, someone might say, “That’s an unmerciful way to deal with the situation.”
A person might describe a difficult boss by saying, “He’s unmerciful when it comes to deadlines.”

27. Unyielding

This word refers to someone who is stubborn and refuses to change their position or opinion. It can also describe something that is rigid and resistant to bending or breaking.

For instance, “She remained unyielding in her decision, despite everyone’s objections.”
In a conversation about a tough negotiation, someone might say, “The other party was unyielding in their demands.”
A person might describe a challenging problem by saying, “I’m facing an unyielding obstacle.”

28. Unsentimental

This term describes someone who lacks emotion or sentimentality. It is often used to describe a person who is not easily moved or affected by emotional situations.

For example, “He’s unsentimental and rarely shows his true emotions.”
In a discussion about a tear-jerking movie, someone might say, “I’m not usually sentimental, but that film really got to me.”
A person might describe a tough decision by saying, “I had to take an unsentimental approach and prioritize logic over emotions.”

29. Unsympathizing

This word describes someone who lacks sympathy or compassion for others. It can also indicate a lack of understanding or concern for someone else’s feelings or struggles.

For instance, “She was unsympathizing towards her friend’s difficult situation.”
In a conversation about a person’s lack of empathy, someone might say, “He’s completely unsympathizing when it comes to other people’s problems.”
A person might describe a cold-hearted action by saying, “It was unsympathizing of him to ignore the homeless person’s plea for help.”

30. Unpitying

This term describes someone who shows no pity or compassion. It is often used to describe a person who is relentless and unforgiving.

For example, “The unpitying judge handed down a harsh sentence.”
In a discussion about a challenging competition, someone might say, “The other team was unpitying in their pursuit of victory.”
A person might describe a difficult task by saying, “It requires an unpitying determination to succeed.”

31. Unrelenting

This term refers to someone who is relentless or unyielding in their actions or behavior. It implies a lack of compassion or sympathy towards others.

For example, “She showed an unrelenting determination to achieve her goals.”
In a discussion about a difficult boss, someone might say, “He’s completely unrelenting in his demands.”
A person describing a harsh winter might say, “The unrelenting cold made it difficult to go outside.”

32. Unresponsive

This term describes someone who is unresponsive or indifferent to the needs or emotions of others. It suggests a lack of empathy or concern.

For instance, “He was completely unresponsive to her pleas for help.”
In a situation where someone is not answering calls or messages, one might say, “They’re being unresponsive.”
A person describing a friend who never shows emotion might say, “He’s always been unresponsive to emotional situations.”

33. Unconcerned

This term describes someone who is unconcerned or indifferent to the feelings or needs of others. It suggests a lack of sensitivity or empathy.

For example, “She seemed completely unconcerned about the impact of her words.”
In a conversation about a tragic event, someone might say, “He appeared completely unconcerned about the loss of life.”
A person describing a coworker who never offers help might say, “He’s so unconcerned about others.”

34. Unmoved

This term describes someone who is unmoved or unaffected by the emotions or experiences of others. It suggests a lack of empathy or compassion.

For instance, “She remained unmoved by his heartfelt apology.”
In a discussion about a heartbreaking story, someone might say, “I can’t believe he was completely unmoved.”
A person describing a doctor with a cold bedside manner might say, “He’s completely unmoved by his patients’ pain.”

35. Unimpressionable

This term describes someone who is unimpressionable or difficult to influence. It suggests a lack of sensitivity or receptiveness to external factors.

For example, “He’s always been unimpressionable, no matter how hard you try to convince him.”
In a conversation about a persuasive salesperson, someone might say, “I don’t think I’ll be able to convince him, he’s unimpressionable.”
A person describing a friend who never changes their opinion might say, “He’s completely unimpressionable, even when presented with new information.”

36. Inhumane

This term is used to describe someone who lacks compassion or empathy towards others. It suggests a complete disregard for the well-being or suffering of others.

For example, a person might say, “The way he treated those animals was inhumane.”
In a discussion about a cruel dictator, someone might comment, “His actions were truly inhumane.”
A news article might describe a brutal crime as “an inhumane act of violence.”

37. Uncaring

This term refers to someone who is indifferent or unconcerned about the feelings or needs of others. It suggests a lack of empathy or emotional responsiveness.

For instance, a person might say, “She didn’t even ask how I was feeling. She’s so uncaring.”
In a discussion about a neglectful parent, someone might comment, “Their behavior is incredibly uncaring.”
A friend might describe a thoughtless action as “completely uncaring.”

38. Apathetic

This term describes someone who lacks interest, enthusiasm, or concern. It suggests a lack of emotional investment or involvement.

For example, a person might say, “He seems apathetic towards the suffering of others.”
In a discussion about a disengaged employee, someone might comment, “Their apathetic attitude is affecting the team.”
A teacher might describe an uninterested student as “apathetic towards learning.”

39. Soulless

This term is used to describe someone who lacks empathy, compassion, or any sense of humanity. It suggests a complete absence of emotional depth or moral conscience.

For instance, a person might say, “His actions were so soulless, it’s hard to believe he’s human.”
In a discussion about a heartless crime, someone might comment, “The perpetrator showed a truly soulless disregard for life.”
A critic might describe a shallow and unemotional performance as “soulless.”

40. Numb

This term describes someone who is emotionally detached or desensitized. It suggests a lack of sensitivity or responsiveness to emotions.

For example, a person might say, “After experiencing so much pain, I feel numb.”
In a discussion about a cold and distant partner, someone might comment, “Their behavior is completely numb.”
A therapist might describe a client’s emotional shutdown as “feeling numb.”

41. Remorseless

This term describes someone who is completely lacking in remorse or guilt. A remorseless person is often seen as cold and uncaring, showing no concern for the feelings or well-being of others.

For example, a character in a movie might be described as a remorseless killer.
In a discussion about a cruel dictator, someone might say, “He ruled with a remorseless hand, showing no mercy to his people.”
A person might describe their ex-partner as remorseless, saying, “They cheated on me without any remorse.”

42. Inert

This word refers to someone or something that lacks energy, movement, or responsiveness. In the context of callousness, it describes a person who is emotionally unresponsive or unfeeling.

For instance, a person who shows no reaction to a tragic event might be described as inert.
In a conversation about a cold-hearted individual, someone might say, “They’re completely inert, never showing any emotion.”
A person might describe their own emotional state as inert, saying, “I feel numb and inert, like nothing affects me anymore.”

43. Unbending

This term describes someone who is inflexible, unyielding, and unwilling to show compassion or empathy. An unbending person is often seen as callous because they refuse to show any kindness or understanding.

For example, a boss who never listens to their employees’ concerns might be described as unbending.
In a discussion about a strict parent, someone might say, “They’re so unbending, never allowing any compromise.”
A person might describe a politician as unbending, saying, “They refuse to listen to the needs of the people, always sticking to their own agenda.”

44. Unflinching

This word describes someone who remains strong and resolute in the face of adversity or difficult situations. In the context of callousness, it refers to someone who shows no signs of compassion or empathy, even when confronted with emotional or distressing situations.

For instance, a person who witnesses a tragedy without showing any emotion might be described as unflinching.
In a conversation about a heartless character, someone might say, “They’re completely unflinching, never showing any sympathy.”
A person might describe their own lack of empathy as unflinching, saying, “I can watch sad movies without shedding a tear. I’m completely unflinching.”

45. Unperceptive

This term describes someone who lacks perception or awareness, particularly when it comes to the emotions or needs of others. An unperceptive person is often seen as callous because they are unable to understand or empathize with the feelings of those around them.

For example, a person who makes insensitive comments without realizing their impact might be described as unperceptive.
In a discussion about a friend who never notices when someone is upset, someone might say, “They’re so unperceptive, they never pick up on social cues.”
A person might describe themselves as unperceptive, saying, “I struggle to understand others’ emotions. I can be quite insensitive without meaning to.”

46. Unperceiving

This term refers to someone who lacks empathy or is indifferent to the feelings of others. It describes a person who is callous and unfeeling.

For example, “He made an unperceiving comment about her appearance, not realizing how hurtful it was.”
In a discussion about emotional intelligence, someone might say, “Being unperceiving can damage relationships and hinder personal growth.”
A person might describe a boss who never recognizes their employees’ hard work as “unperceiving.”