Definition

Describing someone or something that makes a person emotionally hard or unfeeling.

Example

The harsh treatment he received was callousing, making him less sensitive to others' feelings.

Conversation

I've noticed that some people can be really callousing in their comments.

Yeah, it's surprising how unfeeling some can be.

It's like they forget how their words affect others.

Totally, kindness goes a long way in making connections.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Callousing → It is formed from "callus" (from Latin "callus", meaning hard skin) and "-ing" (a suffix used to form present participles or gerunds). The word "callousing" refers to the process of forming hard skin, typically as a result of friction or pressure.

Memory Tip

Think of 'callus' as hard skin forming due to pressure — that's why 'callousing' means the process of developing that hard skin.

Visually Confused Words