callous to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "callous to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is emotionally insensitive or unfeeling towards others' feelings or situations. Example: "She was callous to the suffering of those around her, showing no empathy for their struggles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm callous to all that," Knoblauch said.

The New York Times - Sports

It just seems a bit callous to do that towards the people that love you.

The Guardian - Music

In a time of tragedy, it's hard and seems callous to focus on politics.

The Washington Post

Callous to many things, legis lators are not, however, cal lous to public pressure.

The New York Times

"We have become somewhat callous to these news announcements," he said.

The New York Times

The result has been an attitude toward crew safety that often seemed callous to Westerners.

The New York Times

"The state is worried about rendering society callous to infanticide," Justice Scalia said.

The New York Times

"It's not as though I'm callous to the issue," she said.

The New York Times

But it seems callous to look into the eyes of an old friend and hit "remove".

The New York Times

It would be callous to draw conclusions from one innings but slowly the pressure mounts.

The Guardian - Sport

Q. Have you softened the show because it might feel callous to criticize a man who has serious health problems?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the strength of the word. "Callous" carries a strong negative connotation, so ensure it accurately reflects the severity of the lack of empathy you're describing.

Common error

Don't mistake firm decision-making for being "callous". "Callous" implies a deliberate disregard for others' feelings, not just a necessary but potentially unpopular choice. A leader making a difficult decision isn't necessarily "callous" if they've considered the impact on others but prioritized a different outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "callous to" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's emotional state or behavior. As seen in Ludwig, it is often used to express a lack of empathy or sensitivity towards others. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "callous to" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone who lacks empathy or sensitivity. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable. It is frequently found in news and media contexts, often to criticize or express disapproval of someone's actions. While "callous to" is a strong term, alternatives like "insensitive to" or "unfeeling towards" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. It's important to use "callous to" accurately, ensuring that the situation truly reflects a deliberate disregard for others' feelings, and not simply a difficult decision. The usage of this phrase is prevalent across authoritative sources, making it a readily understood expression. Ludwig's analysis indicates it serves as a neutral-to-formal way to assess behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insensitive to

Replaces "callous" with "insensitive", maintaining the core meaning of lacking feeling or consideration.

unfeeling towards

Substitutes "callous" with "unfeeling", emphasizing the absence of emotion or sympathy.

indifferent to

Replaces "callous" with "indifferent", suggesting a lack of interest or concern.

unsympathetic to

Uses "unsympathetic" instead of "callous", highlighting a lack of compassion or understanding.

heartless towards

Employs "heartless" to convey a stronger sense of cruelty or lack of empathy than "callous".

devoid of empathy for

This phrase explicitly states the absence of empathy, making it a more descriptive alternative.

lacking compassion for

Focuses on the absence of compassion as the primary characteristic, similar to being callous.

uncaring about

Suggests a lack of concern or interest, which can be a component of being callous.

hardened to

Implies a desensitization over time, leading to a callous attitude.

oblivious to

Indicates a lack of awareness or attention to the feelings or needs of others, sometimes implying a callous disregard.

FAQs

How can I use "callous to" in a sentence?

You can use "callous to" to describe someone who is insensitive or unfeeling towards others' emotions or suffering. For example, "The politician seemed "callous to" the needs of the poor."

What are some alternatives to saying someone is "callous to" something?

Alternatives to "callous to" include "insensitive to", "unfeeling towards", or "indifferent to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between being "callous to" something and being "oblivious to" it?

Yes, being "callous to" implies a knowing disregard for others' feelings, while being "oblivious to" suggests a lack of awareness or understanding. Callousness is active, while obliviousness is passive.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "callous to"?

Use "callous to" when you want to emphasize a deliberate lack of empathy or concern for someone else's suffering or situation. Be mindful of the strong negative connotation and ensure it accurately reflects the individual's behavior.