hypersensitive

adjective

hy·​per·​sen·​si·​tive ˌhī-pər-ˈsen(t)-s(ə-)tiv 

1

: excessively or abnormally sensitive

2

: abnormally susceptible physiologically to a specific agent (such as a drug or antigen)

hypersensitiveness noun

hypersensitivity

ˌhī-pər-ˌsen(t)-sə-ˈti-və-tē 

noun

Examples of hypersensitive in a Sentence

She's hypersensitive about her past.

People who are hypersensitive to the chemical may have violent reactions even to small amounts.

Recent Examples on the Web

Studies also suggest that individuals with migraine are more susceptible to brain freeze, probably because the trigeminal nerve and its associated pain pathways are already hypersensitive. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

My own favorite album is Huntington Ashram Monastery—split equally between piano and harp, with the note-perfect complement of Ron Carter’s hypnotic double bass and Rashied Ali’s hypersensitive drums. — Ian Penman, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Back then, Plavsick’s own personal needs—as someone with hypersensitive skin and a new mom perpetually short on time—inspired the formula. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 30 July 2026

The amount may be infinitesimal—white sugar and bottled water are sometimes purified with charred animal bones, for instance—but some hypersensitive alpha-gal patients avoid the risk anyway. — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hypersensitive

• photosensitive
• insensitive
• radiosensitive
• sensitive

Kids Definition

hypersensitive

adjective

hy·​per·​sen·​si·​tive ˌhī-pər-ˈsen(t)-sət-iv 

-ˈsen(t)-stiv

: very sensitive especially to an abnormal degree

hypersensitiveness noun

Medical Definition

hypersensitive

adjective

hy·​per·​sen·​si·​tive ˌhī-pər-ˈsen(t)-sət-iv, -ˈsen(t)-stiv 

1

: excessively or abnormally sensitive

2

: abnormally susceptible physiologically to a specific agent (as a drug or antigen)

hypersensitiveness noun

hypersensitivity

-ˌsen(t)-sə-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

noun

plural hypersensitivities