as in ruthless
having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings
was so thick-skinned that she was clueless about the fact that the joke had hurt her friend's feelings
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Recent Examples of thick-skinned
The formidable thick-skinned, long-furred beast occupied the mammoth steppe, a cold-dry grassland biome that existed during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM).
—
Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 26 June 2024
Its small, thick-skinned berries make wine with strong tannins and high acidity, two components that aide in Cabernet Sauvignon’s ability to age.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024
Haley has chosen instead to cast herself as a fighter who happens to be a woman, someone thick-skinned yet self-aware.
—Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023
Thousands of apple varieties—crunchy, thick-skinned Fujis, which originated in Japan in the 1930s; aromatic Galas; and rare Pink Pearls—exist in the world today, many of them bred for their distinct flavor, color and texture.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Dec. 2023
Thankfully, the lake is ideal for thick-skinned lesser flamingos who visit the spot to put on weight before finding their mates.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023
The thick-skinned Russets absorb seasonings, butter, and cream better than any other potato.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2023
My fridge is loaded with six varieties of grapes right now — some thick-skinned, super-sweet Japanese mini-globe-like jewels; pounds of Thomcords; and some good ol’ table grapes.
—Ben Mims, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2023
Winged Gourd These small, thick-skinned gourds display irregular winged surfaces and may be warty or smooth.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2023
Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 26 June 2024
Its small, thick-skinned berries make wine with strong tannins and high acidity, two components that aide in Cabernet Sauvignon’s ability to age.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024
Haley has chosen instead to cast herself as a fighter who happens to be a woman, someone thick-skinned yet self-aware.
—Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023
Thousands of apple varieties—crunchy, thick-skinned Fujis, which originated in Japan in the 1930s; aromatic Galas; and rare Pink Pearls—exist in the world today, many of them bred for their distinct flavor, color and texture.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Dec. 2023
Thankfully, the lake is ideal for thick-skinned lesser flamingos who visit the spot to put on weight before finding their mates.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023
The thick-skinned Russets absorb seasonings, butter, and cream better than any other potato.
—Patricia S York, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2023
My fridge is loaded with six varieties of grapes right now — some thick-skinned, super-sweet Japanese mini-globe-like jewels; pounds of Thomcords; and some good ol’ table grapes.
—Ben Mims, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2023
Winged Gourd These small, thick-skinned gourds display irregular winged surfaces and may be warty or smooth.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thick-skinned
Adjective
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But when the ruthless Mafia boss Nicola Grimaldi discovers his young son has been kidnapped and murdered, the suspect and Grimaldi’s former friend Vito seeks refuge with police.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2025
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The way to move up in your organization might require being ruthless.—
Roberta Matuson,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Inspired by Lauren’s late mother, Adele, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 55, their family knows that this merciless disease is no laughing matter.—
Jeff Conway,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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Lottie proposes that Natalie be stripped of her title and that the merciless and vicious Shauna should lead them instead.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Romer may one day look up at the stony faces of Daniel Boone or Betsy Ross in their patriotic splendor and decide that her sacrifice was worth it.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
15 Apr. 2025
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Then stony coral tissue loss disease arrived in 2014, decimating corals in a deadly wave along Florida's reefs.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA TODAY,
24 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Thick-skinned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thick-skinned. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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