callous statement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "callous statement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a remark that is insensitive or emotionally unfeeling, often in a context where empathy is expected. Example: "His callous statement about the tragedy left many people feeling hurt and offended."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The sport's international governing body released a callous statement late Friday night, about 10 hours after Kumaritashvili died, publicly blaming the 21-year-old for his own death.

The New York Times - Sports

Responding to comments he made on the night, captured on camera, saying "I don't care how much gas you use", Middlebrook conceded it "seems like a very callous statement".

The Guardian

"To me, it was partially, 'How do we ridicule this insensitive, callous statement?'".

Huffington Post

His callous statement confirmed a common attitude -- when women cross the line, they deserve what they get.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Their departure would hardly be regrettable, considering the callous statements of gun makers uncovered in court records in various states and reported recently in The Times.

The New York Times

And he rejected as irrelevant the government's assertion that Caliph Abdur-Rahadmaded made "callous" statements to an F.B.I. agent about the Sept. 11 attacks and had sought to minimize the event.

The New York Times

Elections have been won and lost on such callous statements.

Huffington Post

The @WhiteHouse absolutely must apologize for their callous and inaccurate statement about the Holocaust.

Huffington Post

A speech he gave in 2005 mused that it was "fun to shoot some people" in Iraq and Afghanistan, a statement called callous by Marla Ruzicka, the head of a civilian-advocacy group that worked with the military in Iraq.

The Guardian

Media reports that make sweeping statements blaming callous and uncaring NHS staff risk damaging their sense of wellbeing and value.

The Guardian

Your statement displays a callous indifference of the consequences of natural calamities, or moral hazard, on populations near the base of the pyramid.It also displays a refusal to consider the importance of nurturing the commons when around 1.5 billion people on this planet live on less than $1 a day, and around 4 billion on less than $2 per day.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "callous statement", ensure the context clearly demonstrates a lack of empathy or consideration for others' feelings. Provide specific details about why the statement is considered callous to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "callous statement" in overly formal or academic writing unless you are directly analyzing the emotional impact of the statement. Opt for more neutral language if the focus is on the content rather than the tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "callous statement" functions as a noun phrase where "callous" modifies the noun "statement". It serves to characterize the statement as lacking in empathy or consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing remarks that are insensitive and emotionally unfeeling.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "callous statement" describes a remark characterized by its lack of empathy and consideration for others. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Though relatively rare in occurrence, it is frequently used in News & Media and occasionally in Formal & Business contexts to highlight insensitivity in various situations. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the lack of empathy and consider alternatives such as "insensitive remark" for a softer tone. Remember that the power of the phrase lies in its ability to convey strong disapproval of a speaker's insensitivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insensitive remark

Replaces "callous" with "insensitive", focusing on the lack of sensitivity.

unfeeling remark

Focuses on the lack of feeling behind the statement by using "unfeeling" and "remark".

heartless declaration

Substitutes "callous" with "heartless" and "statement" with "declaration", emphasizing the lack of empathy.

uncaring comment

Uses "uncaring" instead of "callous" and "comment" for "statement", highlighting the absence of care.

cruel utterance

Uses "cruel" to emphasize the painful impact of the statement, and "utterance" as a formal substitute.

insensitive pronouncement

Replaces "statement" with "pronouncement" to convey a formal announcement that lacks sensitivity.

indifferent announcement

Highlights the lack of concern with "indifferent" replacing "callous", and "announcement" replacing "statement".

brutal comment

Replaces "callous" with "brutal" to indicate harshness, while "statement" becomes "comment".

ruthless assertion

Emphasizes the harshness of the statement by using "ruthless" and "assertion".

detached observation

Conveys a sense of emotional distance using "detached" instead of "callous" and "observation" replacing "statement".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "callous statement" to sound less accusatory?

Consider using "insensitive remark" or "unthinking comment". These alternatives soften the criticism while still conveying the lack of consideration.

What is the difference between a "callous statement" and a "blunt statement"?

A "blunt statement" is direct and possibly tactless, while a "callous statement" implies a lack of empathy or concern for the feelings of others. A blunt statement might be truthful but socially awkward, whereas a "callous statement" is hurtful and insensitive.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the term "callous statement"?

Use "callous statement" when you want to emphasize the emotional impact of a statement, highlighting its insensitivity and lack of consideration for others' feelings. It's appropriate when discussing ethical breaches, public relations failures, or personal interactions where empathy is expected but absent.

What are some synonyms for "callous" to describe a statement?

Alternatives include "heartless", "insensitive", "unfeeling", or "ruthless". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey about the statement's lack of empathy or consideration.