callous
showing an insensitive and cruel disregard for others
Word origin: From Latin callosus, thick-skinned (callum hardened skin).
Callous in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing callous in a sentence.
His callous response to their grief revealed how little he cared.
The landlord's callous response to the tenants' complaints drew condemnation from the housing board.
Using “callous” well
Callous means emotionally hardened and indifferent to suffering. Do not confuse it with callow, a look-alike meaning immature and inexperienced.
More GRE words starting with C
a small secret group plotting against a government or authority
having a hidden or mysterious meaning understood only by initiates
a harsh, jarring mixture of sounds
to obtain something by begging or sponging off others
falling off or shed at an early stage, especially of plant parts
to coax someone into doing something through flattery or persuasion
an event causing great damage, loss, or distress
misty, dim, or dark, and therefore obscure
Questions about “callous”
See these words the way the GRE tests them.
Definitions in isolation do not stick. Sit a free, full-length GRE mock and meet this vocabulary inside real text completion and sentence equivalence questions, with your score and a worked solution for every answer.