unfeeling
adjective
un·feel·ing ˌən-ˈfē-liŋ 
1
: devoid of feeling : insensate
an unfeeling corpse
2
: lacking kindness or sympathy : hard-hearted
an unfeeling brute
unfeelingly
ˌən-ˈfē-liŋ-lē
adverb unfeelingness noun
Synonyms
- affectless
- callous
- case-hardened
- cold-blooded
- compassionless
- desensitized
- hard
- hard-boiled
- hard-hearted
- heartless
- indurate
- inhuman
- inhumane
- insensate
- insensitive
- ironhearted
- merciless
- obdurate
- pachydermatous
- pitiless
- remorseless
- ruthless
- slash-and-burn
- soulless
- stony
- stoney
- stonyhearted
- take-no-prisoners
- thick-skinned
- uncharitable
- unmerciful
- unsparing
- unsympathetic
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She says the most unfeeling things. How can you be so cold and unfeeling?
Recent Examples on the Web On the legislature’s uninformed and unfeeling rejection of these fragile human beings, with the passage and override of HB11. 
Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 13 Apr. 2022 In both iterations, the Other is a robot—or at least robotic—because Western speculations about an Asianized future still rely on stereotypes of Asians as passive, unfeeling, and good at math. Jane Hu, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2022 For all the refreshing candor from Smart, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was just the opposite Monday — evasive, unfeeling, cold, and completely tone deaf in a Zoom call with reporters. BostonGlobe.com, 2 Nov. 2021 Our phones, in their unfeeling way, have seen and recorded all of this—our constant floundering toward and away from the world. Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 1 Sep. 2021 Knowing this, Rilke’s advice can sound astonishingly unfeeling, even reckless, in its dogmatic insistence. Kamran Javadizadeh, The New Yorker, 26 May 2021 Joe Alwyn also stars in the film as Jennifer's husband, the unfeeling, cold Laurence Stirling. Natalie Morin, refinery29.com, 30 Apr. 2021 Once again a former lover morphs into a vengeful enemy, and Bloom’s version of Roth as an unfeeling misogynist persists until this day. New York Times, 1 Apr. 2021 Contrast that with Kai Leng, who on the other hand is stoic and unfeeling, which unfortunately are stereotypes of Asians. George Yang, Wired, 8 Dec. 2020 See More
Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 13 Apr. 2022 In both iterations, the Other is a robot—or at least robotic—because Western speculations about an Asianized future still rely on stereotypes of Asians as passive, unfeeling, and good at math. Jane Hu, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2022 For all the refreshing candor from Smart, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was just the opposite Monday — evasive, unfeeling, cold, and completely tone deaf in a Zoom call with reporters. BostonGlobe.com, 2 Nov. 2021 Our phones, in their unfeeling way, have seen and recorded all of this—our constant floundering toward and away from the world. Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 1 Sep. 2021 Knowing this, Rilke’s advice can sound astonishingly unfeeling, even reckless, in its dogmatic insistence. Kamran Javadizadeh, The New Yorker, 26 May 2021 Joe Alwyn also stars in the film as Jennifer's husband, the unfeeling, cold Laurence Stirling. Natalie Morin, refinery29.com, 30 Apr. 2021 Once again a former lover morphs into a vengeful enemy, and Bloom’s version of Roth as an unfeeling misogynist persists until this day. New York Times, 1 Apr. 2021 Contrast that with Kai Leng, who on the other hand is stoic and unfeeling, which unfortunately are stereotypes of Asians. George Yang, Wired, 8 Dec. 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
unfeeling
adjective
un·feel·ing ˌən-ˈfē-liŋ
: having no kindness or sympathy : cruel
an unfeeling joke
unfeeling
adjective
1
as in ruthless
having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings gave the homeless people on the street only an unfeeling glance Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- ruthless
- merciless
- heartless
- callous
- stony
- compassionless
- pitiless
- soulless
- oppressive
- cruel
- hard
- inhuman
- abusive
- unsympathetic
- insensitive
- insensate
- harsh
- hateful
- unmerciful
- remorseless
- inhumane
- obdurate
- malicious
- uncharitable
- brutal
- stern
- affectless
- vicious
- uncaring
- indurate
- hard-hearted
- tough
- unsparing
- desensitized
- grim
- thoughtless
- savage
- unthinking
- unloving
- severe
- pachydermatous
- cold-blooded
- inconsiderate
- case-hardened
- boorish
- mean
- thick-skinned
- stoney
- unfriendly
- spiteful
- take-no-prisoners
- ungentle
- cold
- ironhearted
- rough
- heedless
- hard-boiled
- malevolent
- slash-and-burn
- stonyhearted
- brutish
- disagreeable
- surly
- virulent
- barbarous
- jackbooted
- sledgehammer
- bestial
- acrimonious
- rancorous
- austere
- hard-bitten
- ironfisted
- ill-tempered
- frosty
- ill-natured
- heavy-handed
- knock-down-and-drag-out
- knock-down, drag-out
- rough-and-tumble
- ironhanded
- evil-minded
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sympathetic
- compassionate
- benevolent
- warm
- merciful
- humane
- charitable
- sensitive
- kindhearted
- gentle
- kind
- kindly
- warmhearted
- mild
- softhearted
- tender
- indulgent
- lenient
- tenderhearted
- benignant
- friendly
- gracious
- cordial
- affectionate
- loving
- tolerant
- clement
- good-natured
- understanding
- good-tempered
- fond
2
as in numb
lacking in sensation or feeling her heart was as cold and hard as the unfeeling marble statue in her garden Synonyms & Similar Words
- numb
- numbed
- asleep
- insensitive
- benumbed
- torpid
- dead
- chilled
- unconscious
- drugged
- deadened
- inanimate
- dulled
- stupefied
- insensate
- anesthetized
- senseless
- blunted
- insensible
- nipped
- obtunded
- cocainized
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- feeling
- sensitive
- sensible
- awake
3
as in inanimate
lacking animate awareness or sensation she spoke politely even to the unfeeling virtual assistant on her phone Synonyms & Similar Words
- inanimate
- insensate
- unconscious
- lifeless
- senseless
- insentient
- insensible
- comatose
- exanimate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- feeling
- sensitive
- sensible
- conscious
- sentient
- aware
- cognizant
- sensate
- animate
- animated
- vibrant
- lively