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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

  • oversensitiveness noun
  • oversensitivity noun

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.

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

From Slate • Mar. 15, 2026

"I think growing up undiagnosed, you grow up thinking everything you're doing is wrong because you're different and you then internalise a lot of that so you're very oversensitive as well," she said.

From BBC • Jul. 10, 2025

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

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

I felt bad for him, and thought the inmate with the tray in his hands was perhaps being oversensitive.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover