insensitive

[ in-sen-si-tiv ]

adjective

1. deficient in human sensibility, acuteness of feeling, or consideration; unfeeling; callous:

   an insensitive person.

2. not physically sensitive:

   insensitive skin.

3. not affected by physical or chemical agencies or influences:

   insensitive to light.

4. not readily responsive or aware:

   insensitive to the needs of the peasants.

insensitive

/ ɪnˈsɛnsɪtɪv /

adjective

1. lacking sensitivity; unfeeling
2. lacking physical sensation
3. postpositivefoll byto not sensitive (to) or affected (by)

   insensitive to radiation

Derived Forms

• inˈsensitiveness, noun
• inˈsensitively, adverb

Other Words From

• in·sensi·tive·ness in·sensi·tivi·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of insensitive¹

First recorded in 1600–10; in- ³ + sensitive

Example Sentences

Many of the agents were insensitive and crass, shouting insults and expletives at the detainees in Spanish.

From The Daily Beast

We did not intend to cause any offense, but in retrospect we realize that it was insensitive.

From The Daily Beast

“Amendment 1” seems to protect bullying on social media and insensitive and hurtful speech as well.

From The Daily Beast

When Sara took her case before a panel of faculty members, she said she found them combative and insensitive.

From The Daily Beast

The series features an actress navigating the racially insensitive landscape of mainstream Hollywood.

From The Daily Beast

Though Nigel was enthusiastic and determined, he was not insensitive to what was passing in the mind of one he admired and liked.

From Project Gutenberg

The mucous membranes become dry and insensitive, especially those of the fauces.

From Project Gutenberg

The Kinghampstead division remained for some time insensitive to my defection.

From Project Gutenberg

Its pivot had been destroyed in transit and Correll had replaced it by a gramophone needle, which was found too insensitive.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes he becomes wholly insensitive in some part of his body via a nerve bloc.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• crass
• heartless
• uncaring
• unkind
• unresponsive