desensitize

American  

[dee-sen-si-tahyz] / diˈsɛn sɪˌtaɪz /

especially British, desensitise

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.

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desensitize British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• desensitization noun
• desensitizer noun

Etymology

Origin of desensitize

First recorded in 1900–05; de- + sensitize

Example Sentences

Pepperstone strategist Michael Brown said markets appear to be “becoming increasingly desensitized to incoming geopolitical news flow” as the conflict drags on.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We hear stuff like this all the time. It just desensitizes you to there being an actual threat, knock on wood.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Reactions to other recent reports have been muted as well, with investors seemingly desensitized to Nvidia’s big numbers.

From MarketWatch

“You almost get desensitized to it,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

But to seasoned ski racers, already desensitized to pursuits others might find terrifying, it’s all part of the game.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deaden