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Showing results for oversensitive. Search instead for over-sensitive.
Synonyms

oversensitive

American  
[oh-ver-sen-si-tiv] / ˈoʊ vərˈsɛn sɪ tɪv /

adjective

  1. excessively or unduly sensitive.


oversensitive British  
/ ˌəʊvəˈsɛnsɪtɪv /

adjective

  1. excessively responsive to or aware of feelings, reactions, etc

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of oversensitive

First recorded in 1840–50; over- + sensitive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“It’s an oversensitive dopamine response that leads to varied feelings, ” says therapist and author Marissa Zwetow.

From Slate Mar. 15, 2026

The mightiest of Vought’s ultra-marketed superstars, Homelander, played by Antony Starr, is believed by many in the world of “The Boys” to be America’s greatest hero; in reality, he’s an oversensitive, egotistical demagogue.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 17, 2025

But we don't know why some people have an oversensitive nervous system - and why it reacts to some things and not others.

From BBC May 31, 2025

According to study leader Gregory Barton, UC Berkeley professor of molecular and cell biology, identifying these mutations could help doctors deliver a personalized treatment to patients with oversensitive TLRs and, in particular, oversensitive TLR7 receptors.

From Science Daily May 23, 2024

It was the penalty for being oversensitive to the situation.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson

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