heartless
word
/ˈhɑɹtɫəs/
HART-luhs
/hˈɑːtləs/
HAHT-luhs
Definition
Describes someone who shows no kindness, sympathy, or compassion for others.
Usage & Nuances
'Heartless' is strongly negative and slightly formal. Commonly used to criticize actions or people showing a lack of empathy: 'a heartless remark', 'heartless boss'. Similar to 'cruel', but focuses more on lack of feeling than desire to hurt.
Spanish: despiadado - sin corazónPortuguese (BR): cruel - sem coraçãoPortuguese (PT): cruel - sem coraçãoChinese (Simplified): 无情的 - 冷酷的Chinese (Traditional): 無情的 - 冷酷的Hindi: निर्दयी - निष्ठुरArabic: قاسي القلب - عديم الرحمةBengali: নির্দয় - নির্মমRussian: безжалостный - бессердечныйJapanese: 冷酷な - 無情なVietnamese: nhẫn tâm - vô cảmKorean: 무정한 - 냉정한Turkish: vicdansız - acımasızUrdu: بے رحم - سنگدلIndonesian: tanpa hati - kejam
Example Sentences
My boss can be really heartless when it comes to deadlines.
natural
She made a heartless joke about his failure.
natural
Don’t be so heartless—just call him back!
natural
The heartless man ignored the crying child.
basic
It was heartless to refuse help to the old woman.
basic
The story has a heartless villain.
basic