desensitize

especially British, de·sen·si·tise

[dee-sen-si-tahyz]

verb (used with object)

desensitized, desensitizing 

1. to lessen the sensitiveness of.

2. to make indifferent, unaware, or the like, in feeling.

3. Photography.,  to make less sensitive or wholly insensitive to light, as the emulsion on a film.

4. Printing.,  to treat (the design on a lithographic plate) with an etch in order to increase the capacity to retain moisture, and to remove traces of grease.

5. Chemistry.,  to reduce the sensitivity of (an explosive) to those stimuli capable of detonating it.

desensitize

/ diːˈsɛnsɪˌtaɪz /

verb

1. to render insensitive or less sensitive

   the patient was desensitized to the allergen

   to desensitize photographic film

2. psychol to decrease the abnormal fear in (a person) of a situation or object, by exposing him to it either in reality or in his imagination

Other Word Forms

• desensitizer noun
• desensitization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of desensitize¹

First recorded in 1900–05; de- + sensitize

Example Sentences

Investors have become desensitized to risk as the 2008-09 financial crisis fades from memory, Block believes.

Read more on Barron's

Mollner and Lawrence keep the story locked on the boys, never elaborating on this desensitizing idea but continuing to show us the dehumanizing torture they endure.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I don’t want to say that’s right or wrong, but from what I’m seeing, a lot of people have become desensitized to violence.

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Dains, who previously held top shelter jobs in San José and Long Beach, said her employees were desensitized to the suffering of the animals after witnessing it day after day.

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Doo-man can’t work to the best of his ability unless he eats, even if it means desensitizing himself to life’s gruesome truths.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• deaden