insensate

[in-sen-seyt, -sit]

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adjective

not endowed with sensation; inanimate: insensate stone.
without human feeling or sensitivity; cold; cruel; brutal.
without sense, understanding, or judgment; foolish.

Origin of insensate

First recorded in 1510–20, insensate is from the Late Latin word insēnsātus irrational. See in-³, sensate

Related formsin·sen·sate·ly, adverbin·sen·sate·ness, noun

Synonyms for insensate

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1. lifeless, inorganic. 2. insensible. 3. stupid, irrational, senseless, witless, dumb.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for insensate

apathetic, callous, cold, impassive, insensible, unfeeling, unmoved, dumb, foolish, irrational, senseless, witless

Examples from the Web for insensate

Contemporary Examples of insensate

He was “overwhelmed by the feeling” that “the Suffolk expanses” had “shrunk once and for all to a single, blind, insensate spot.”
Walking In The Footsteps Of W.G. Sebald, Hiker, Novelist, Strange Genius
Edward Platt
June 5, 2014

Historical Examples of insensate

It was insensate folly on his part, ridiculous from any point of view.
The Black Bag
Louis Joseph Vance
More than once he had hoped the insensate fury of the blizzard might abate.
Nan of Music Mountain
Frank H. Spearman
It was hardly more now, as the Lady plodded on, than an insensate log.
Nan of Music Mountain
Frank H. Spearman
Regret at their insensate rage is sure to succeed all such outbreaks.
Historical Tales, Vol. 6 (of 15)
Charles Morris
Then an insensate wish to stab him to the heart made her turn her head and look at him.
Beyond
John Galsworthy

British Dictionary definitions for insensate

insensate

adjective

lacking sensation or consciousness
insensitive; unfeeling
foolish; senseless

Derived Formsinsensately, adverbinsensateness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for insensate

adj.

1510s, from Late Latin insensatus "irrational, foolish," from Latin in- "not" (see in- (1)) + sensatus "gifted with sense" (see sensate). Insensate means "not capable of feeling sensation," often "inanimate;" insensible means "lacking the power to feel with the senses," hence, often, "unconscious;" insensitive means "having little or no reaction to what is perceived by one's senses," often "tactless."