Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Insensitive to criticism: Able to withstand or not be easily upset by negative comments, disapproval, or verbal attacks.
   • Having a relatively tough outer covering: Possessing a skin, rind, or exterior that is physically thick, hard, or resistant to damage.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Insensitive to criticism):
  • You need to be tough-skinned to work in politics.
  • She was tough-skinned enough to ignore the online trolls.
• Adjective (Having a tough outer covering):
  • The fruit is tough-skinned and difficult to peel.
  • Tough-skinned animals like armadillos have natural armor.

Advanced Usage

• Figurative Use: Often used to describe a person's emotional resilience or a company's ability to endure market pressures.
  • The start-up became tough-skinned after surviving its first major crisis.
• Comparative and Superlative Forms: "tougher-skinned", "toughest-skinned".
  • Of all the interns, he was the toughest-skinned when receiving feedback.

Variants and Related Words

• Thick-skinned (adj): Very similar in meaning, especially regarding insensitivity to criticism. ("Thick-skinned" is a more common variant for the figurative sense).
• Toughness (n): The quality of being tough, either physically or mentally.
• Callous (adj): Can be a synonym for emotional insensitivity, but often implies a more unfeeling or cruel disregard.

Synonyms

• For "insensitive to criticism": Thick-skinned, resilient, hardened, impervious, unflappable.
• For "having a tough outer covering": Leathery, rugged, durable, hardy, armored.

Related Phrases

• To develop a thick/tough skin: To become less sensitive to criticism over time.
  • Working in customer service helped her develop a tough skin.
• Tough hide: A phrase with a very similar meaning, comparing someone's resilience to the tough skin of an animal.
  • He has a tough hide; insults just bounce off him.

Adjective

1. insensitive to criticism
2. having a relatively tough outer covering