a heartless man

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a heartless man" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is perceived as lacking compassion or empathy. Example: "Despite the pleas for help, he remained a heartless man, indifferent to the suffering around him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Following Mr. Modi's recent admission, his foes have tried to portray him as a heartless man.

The New York Times

You have been called a murderer, a heartless man no different than the strongmen of yesteryear, who had resorted to violence to suppress dissent of all stripes.

The Guardian - Opinion

He'd already seen it three times, and told me that only a heartless man would skip out on multiple viewings.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He goes from an icy, heartless man who processes trauma by consensually hurting women to an icy, heartless man who believes that one woman is good enough to deserve his effort and respect.

The New Yorker

By all accounts (not just his son's) Ben Solotaroff, emperor of the Standard Plate Glass Company of Elizabeth, N.J., was an astonishingly selfish and heartless man, someone who sapped the spirit out of those closest to him.

The New York Times - Books

A leaked memo from Mr Clegg to his party urges sustained attacks on the Conservative Party as a heartless rich man's club.

The Economist

After months of attack ads portraying Mitt Romney as a heartless rich man who became rich by doing heartless things, and endless stump speeches, campaign briefings and rapid rebuttal emails more or less accusing the Republican of lying, a new approach is becoming dominant.

The Economist

When Kirsty's beloved grandad is dying, he asks her to take care of his allotment, but the heartless man from the council says she's not on the waiting list.

The Guardian - Books

The police rushed the pup to the hospital for treatment after stopping the "heartless" man, the tweet reads.

BBC

Sign up now to get the best of VICE CAdmiringlivered straigianto your inbox.

Vice

But she sings less often about success than about pain: heartless men, a tough childhood, an unshakable self-doubt.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a heartless man", ensure the context clearly supports this strong characterization. Overuse can diminish its impact, so reserve it for situations where the lack of empathy is a key element of the narrative.

Common error

Avoid labeling someone as "a heartless man" based on a single action or disagreement. This phrase implies a consistent pattern of behavior, not just an isolated incident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heartless man" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a description or characterization of an individual. It is used to assign a quality of lacking compassion to the subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a heartless man" is a grammatically sound and usable English expression, predominantly found in news and media contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe an individual perceived as lacking compassion or empathy, often with a critical or disapproving tone. While grammatically correct, using the phrase thoughtfully is important; consider the potential impact and context. Alternatives like "an unfeeling individual" or "a callous human being" may offer a more nuanced or formal tone, depending on your writing goals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a person devoid of empathy

Formally states the lack of empathetic feeling.

an unfeeling individual

Replaces "heartless" with "unfeeling", offering a more clinical tone.

an insensitive man

Focuses on the lack of awareness or consideration for others' feelings.

a cold-blooded person

Emphasizes the calculated nature of the lack of feeling.

a callous human being

Highlights the insensitivity and disregard for others' feelings.

a pitiless soul

Adds a layer of severity and judgment to the description.

a compassionless character

Directly negates the presence of compassion.

a remorseless figure

Stresses the absence of regret or guilt.

a soulless entity

Implies a deeper, more fundamental lack of empathy.

a ruthless individual

Suggests a willingness to cause harm without concern for the consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "a heartless man" in a sentence?

You can use "a heartless man" to describe someone who shows a lack of compassion or empathy in their actions or decisions. For example, "The CEO was portrayed as "a heartless man" after announcing layoffs without regard for the employees' well-being."

What are some alternatives to calling someone "a heartless man"?

Alternatives include "an unfeeling individual", "a cold-blooded person", or "a person devoid of empathy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use the phrase "a heartless man" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a heartless man" can be quite strong. In formal writing, consider more nuanced and less emotionally charged alternatives like "an insensitive man" or "a callous human being" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "a heartless man" and "a ruthless man"?

"A heartless man" implies a lack of empathy or compassion, while "a ruthless man" suggests a determination to achieve goals without concern for the harm caused to others. Ruthlessness often involves action, while heartlessness is more about a lack of feeling.