callous appeal

[ˈkæləs əˈpil]
noun phrasepl: callous appeals
apelo insensível; apelo desalmado
1. A request or plea that is made without regard for the feelings, suffering, or dignity of others; an emotionally cold or heartless solicitation
The politician's callous appeal for votes ignored the plight of the homeless.
O apelo insensível do político por votos ignorou a situação dos sem-abrigo.
2. A request made in a manner that shows a hardened, unfeeling attitude despite circumstances that would normally evoke compassion
Her callous appeal for donations after the disaster seemed to profit from others' misery.
Seu apelo desalmado por doações após o desastre parecia lucrar com a miséria dos outros.
In both Brazilian and American contexts, a 'callous appeal' is generally viewed negatively as it violates social norms of empathy and respect. The term is frequently used in political discourse and media criticism to describe insensitive fundraising efforts, political rhetoric, or corporate messaging that appears to exploit human suffering or misery for gain.
NYC Slang
cold pitch; heartless ask
Synonyms / Sinônimos
heartless pleacold-blooded requestinsensitive solicitationunfeeling appealmerciless plea
Antonyms / Antônimos
compassionate appealsympathetic requesttender pleaempathetic solicitationheartfelt appeal

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
apelo insensível; apelo desalmado
Standard usage in formal and informal contexts
Rio de Janeiro
apelo frio; apelo sem coração
Colloquial variation emphasizing emotional coldness
São Paulo
apelo descarado; apelo cruel
Emphasizes shamelessness or cruelty in the appeal
Portugal
apelo insensível; pedido desalmado
Similar to Brazilian usage with slight lexical variations

Related Words

callousappealinsensitivehardenedunfeelingapatheticindifferent

Related Idioms & Phrases

appeal to the heartstrings (opposite meaning)
touch a nerve (related emotional context)
stone-hearted request
cry for help with no compassion
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →