insensitive

[ in-sen-si-tiv ]

/ ɪnˈsɛn sɪ tɪv /

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See synonyms for: insensitive / insensitiveness / insensitivity 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.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of insensitive

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

OTHER WORDS FROM insensitive

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

Words nearby insensitive

inseminate, insemination , inseminator, insensate, insensible, insensitive, insentient, insep., inseparable, insert, inserted

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use insensitive in a sentence

Many marketers have paused campaigns or adjusted their paid advertising strategies to ensure they’re not striking potential customers at the wrong time with insensitive messaging.
Google pauses all political ads through inauguration|Carolyn Lyden|January 13, 2021|Search Engine Land
She didn't say anything about it in the moment, but then later sent me an email detailing health problems she's had related to insomnia and telling me she thought I was insensitive.
Carolyn Hax: A parent pooh-poohs a non-parent’s sleep-deprivation|Carolyn Hax|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
While the fear of an insensitive or poorly placed ad going viral isn’t a realistic possibility for most brands, the question of whether audiences are in the right mindset to be marketed to is one that every advertiser should ask.
Halting campaigns shouldn’t be your only brand safety precaution|George Nguyen|January 8, 2021|Search Engine Land
It’s usually a centralized process that’s insensitive to minute changes in the environment.
Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Environmentalism - Issue 90: Something Green|Anastasia Bendebury & Michael Shilo DeLay|October 7, 2020|Nautilus

At worst, these flawed standards will lead to more AI systems and tools that perpetuate existing biases and are insensitive to local cultures.
AI ethics groups are repeating one of society’s classic mistakes|Amy Nordrum|September 14, 2020|MIT Technology Review
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
The series features an actress navigating the racially insensitive landscape of mainstream Hollywood.
YouTube, Netflix, and the Death of Television|Rich Goldstein|November 14, 2013|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.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
The mucous membranes become dry and insensitive, especially those of the fauces.
A Statistical Inquiry Into the Nature and Treatment of Epilepsy|Alexander Hughes Bennett
The Kinghampstead division remained for some time insensitive to my defection.
The New Machiavelli|Herbert George Wells
Its pivot had been destroyed in transit and Correll had replaced it by a gramophone needle, which was found too insensitive.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson
Sometimes he becomes wholly insensitive in some part of his body via a nerve bloc.
The Sensitive Man|Poul William Anderson

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 of insensitive

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

Origin of insensitive

OTHER WORDS FROM insensitive

Words nearby insensitive

Words related to insensitive

How to use insensitive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for insensitive

Derived forms of insensitive