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pachydermatous attitude

pachydermatous attitude

9.9
A way of behaving that shows little care for other people's feelings
  • noun
  • /ˌpækɪdərˈmætəs ˈætɪtjud/
  • Formal
translation icon : actitud insensible
  • His pachydermatous attitude was evident when he dismissed his friend's concerns without a second thought.

Examples

  • Despite criticism from her peers, her pachydermatous attitude kept her unfazed and focused on her work.

  • His pachydermatous attitude made it hard for him to connect with his colleagues.

  • Many admired her resilience, but others found her pachydermatous attitude rather cold.

  • Why does she always have such a pachydermatous attitude?

  • His pachydermatous attitude was evident when he ignored his colleague's distress after the incident.

  • Despite the team's disappointment, her pachydermatous attitude prevented her from noticing their feelings.

  • Many people found his pachydermatous attitude frustrating because he never showed compassion for others.

Synonyms

heart of stone
vspachydermatous attitude
  • Informal
1 6.4

Someone who shows no pity or kindness to others

is a milder behaviour label rather than absolute lack of feeling
callous attitude
vspachydermatous attitude
1 7.2

A cold, uncaring way of treating other people

is more about being thick skinned than deliberate unkindness
ungentleness
vspachydermatous attitude
1 8.2

A harsh, unkind way of speaking or acting

is more specific to emotional thick skin and low empathy
pachydermatous response
vspachydermatous attitude
  • Formal
9.9

A reaction that shows little concern for criticism or others' feelings

is about a general manner rather than a single reaction

Antonyms

30 4.4

To understand and share other people's feelings

How Insensitive

callousness
6 7.4
pachydermatous attitude
  • Formal
9.9
insensitivity
16 5.5
detachment
21 6.1
sensitivity
100 3.9

Surface Forms

Morphology

pachydermatous + attitude

The adjective 'pachydermatous' (emotionally hardened/insensitive) directly modifies the noun 'attitude', so the phrase simply describes an insensitive way of behaving; the meaning is compositionally derived from the parts. Although 'pachydermatous' is rare, if a learner knows the constituent meanings the combined sense is immediately predictable and follows a common adjective+noun pattern.

Etymology

Pachydermatous attitude comes from comparing a person to thick-skinned animals like elephants, because pachydermatous means 'thick-skinned' and attitude is a way of behaving. So a pachydermatous attitude brings to mind someone who does not feel hurt or show sympathy, which is why it means 'insensitive'.