callously

USAGE SUMMARY

"callously" is a word that is commonly used in written English.
It is an adverb that means coldly and unfeelingly and describes actions that are done without sympathy or empathy. Example: The professor callously dismissed his student's ideas without giving them any consideration.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those countries are callously pushing boat people from Myanmar and Bangladesh back out to sea (see article).

The Economist

THE Family Buttonwood having callously decided to go skiing over Easter, your correspondent was left scrabbling solo at the coalface.

The Economist

What Arabs need is liberation from America.Homa MojtabaiRostock, GermanySIR – You callously say that the fewer than 1,000 civilian deaths in two weeks of fighting are negligible by the standards of war.

The Economist

As a consequence of newspaper serialisations and leaks, all three have been callously ridiculed.

The Economist

The explanations become steadily more absurd and inconclusive.The only hard fact so far is that the bombing was a professional job, callously executed.

The Economist

Those women continued, however, to be skinflints, and the men remained callously indifferent to those less fortunate than themselves.

The Economist

Mr Putin callously said at the time that Politkovskaya's work had minimal impact in Russia.

The Economist

As an eager, near-riotous crowd jostled for position at the Gallery Place metro stop, a 68-year-old woman was callously pushed onto the tracks.

The Economist

If you cannot mention the economy without inadvertently praising Mr Gore (Mr Bradley's problem), or without seeming callously indifferent to those who are still not prospering (Mr Gore's), what issue do you seize on instead?By a strange coincidence, both candidates have come up with the same solution to their problem.

The Economist

Robert Kangas Fjärdee budet showed the brutalization of an unwanted child, and Magnus Dahlström's Nedkomst appeared as callously provocative in its cruelty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It dramatizes the story of a young student who aspires to success, earns a degree and position, but callously turns his back on the girl who faithfully loves him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "callously" to emphasize a deliberate lack of empathy or concern in someone's actions or words. It adds a strong negative connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "callously" when the situation involves unintentional oversight or simple negligence. "Callously" implies a conscious decision to disregard someone's feelings or well-being, not just an accidental mistake.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "callously" functions to modify verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. It emphasizes a lack of empathy or consideration in the action, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

26%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "callously" is a powerful descriptor, indicating a lack of empathy or compassion in an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in news and encyclopedic contexts. While synonyms like "unfeelingly" or "heartlessly" exist, "callously" emphasizes a deliberate disregard for others' feelings. Remember to use it accurately, distinguishing it from mere negligence or unintentional actions. The word is best suited for condemning intentional cruelty, as showcased by Ludwig's diverse real-world examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfeelingly

Direct synonym, maintaining a similar level of formality and emphasis on the lack of feeling.

heartlessly

Emphasizes the absence of a compassionate heart, adding a layer of emotional coldness.

coldly

Focuses on the emotional distance and lack of warmth in the action.

ruthlessly

Highlights the lack of pity or compassion, often implying a forceful or aggressive action.

insensitively

Points out the lack of awareness or consideration for others' feelings.

dispassionately

Stresses the absence of emotion, which can lead to actions that seem uncaring.

without regard

Indicates a lack of consideration or concern for the consequences of one's actions.

with indifference

Highlights a lack of interest or concern, suggesting a detached approach.

in a hard-hearted manner

More descriptive, explicitly stating the presence of a 'hard heart' which is causing the callousness.

showing no sympathy

Clearly expresses the absence of sympathetic feelings, explicitly defining the emotional deficit.

FAQs

How can I use "callously" in a sentence?

Use "callously" to describe actions performed with a lack of sensitivity or empathy. For example, "The company "callously" disregarded the environmental impact of its operations".

What words are similar to "callously"?

Alternatives to "callously" include "unfeelingly", "heartlessly", and "coldly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "callously" to describe an accident?

No, "callously" implies intention. It is not appropriate to use it when describing an accident or unintentional act. Using "negligently" or "carelessly" would be more accurate in that context.

What is the difference between "callously" and "casually"?

"Callously" describes a lack of feeling or empathy, while "casually" describes something done in a relaxed or informal manner. They have very different meanings.