insensitive

[ in-sen-si-tiv ]

/ ɪnˈsɛn sɪ tɪv /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR insensitive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

deficient in human sensibility, acuteness of feeling, or consideration; unfeeling; callous: an insensitive person.

not physically sensitive: insensitive skin.

not affected by physical or chemical agencies or influences: insensitive to light.

not readily responsive or aware: insensitive to the needs of the peasants.

Nearby words

inseminator, insenescence, insensate, insensible, insensible perspiration, insensitive, insentient, insep., inseparable, insert, inserted

Origin of insensitive

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

Related forms

in·sen·si·tive·ness, in·sen·si·tiv·i·ty, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for insensitive

Many of the agents were insensitive and crass, shouting insults and expletives at the detainees in Spanish.
This Church Is Reviving the Sanctuary Movement to Shelter Undocumented Immigrants From Deportation|Caitlin Dickson|June 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We did not intend to cause any offense, but in retrospect we realize that it was insensitive.
RuPaul’s ‘She-Mail’ Exits Drag Race|Parker Molloy|April 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Amendment 1” seems to protect bullying on social media and insensitive and hurtful speech as well.
P.J. O’Rourke: Who Really Actually Wants This Bill of Rights?|P. J. O’Rourke|April 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When Sara took her case before a panel of faculty members, she said she found them combative and insensitive.
Columbia Announces Changes To School Sex Assault Policy|Abigail Golden|January 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

They do fantastic work across the world, and I would hate for their reputation to be damaged by his insensitive jokes.
Amnesty International U.K. Board Chairman Resigns Over Crude Jokes|Nico Hines|August 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He went out with a fire at his heart that made him insensitive to the frost without.
The Grey Wig: Stories and Novelettes|Israel Zangwill
It is a singular fact that this cerebral substance is insensitive, and may be cut without causing pain.
A Treatise on Physiology and Hygiene|Joseph Chrisman Hutchison
It is significant that virgins were just as insensitive as married women or those who had had children.
Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 3 (of 6)|Havelock Ellis
Occasionally a cell will persist in remaining in the insensitive state.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 492, June 6, 1885|Various
Hardy children are always of inferior type—for the most part, plain and shrewd and unimaginative, insensitive, unlovable.
Feminism and Sex-Extinction|Arabella Kenealy

British Dictionary definitions for insensitive

insensitive

/ (ɪnˈsɛnsɪtɪv) /

adjective

lacking sensitivity; unfeeling

lacking physical sensation

(postpositive foll by to) not sensitive (to) or affected (by)insensitive to radiation

Derived Forms

insensitively, adverbinsensitiveness or insensitivity, 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

insensitive

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of insensitive

Related forms

Examples from the Web for insensitive

British Dictionary definitions for insensitive

insensitive

adjective

Derived Forms