desensitize

verb

de·​sen·​si·​tize (ˌ)dē-ˈsen(t)-sə-ˌtīz 

desensitized; desensitizing; desensitizes

transitive verb

1

: to make (a sensitized or hypersensitive individual) insensitive or nonreactive to a sensitizing agent

2

: to make emotionally insensitive or callous

specifically : to extinguish an emotional response (as of fear, anxiety, or guilt) to stimuli that formerly induced it

desensitization

(ˌ)dē-ˌsen(t)-sə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

desensitizer

(ˌ)dē-ˈsen-sə-ˌtī-zər 

noun

Did you know?

Physical desensitizing is something that biologists have long been aware of. Basic training in the armed forces tries to desensitize new recruits to pain. We can desensitize ourselves to the summer heat by turning off the air conditioning, or become desensitized to the cold by walking barefoot in the snow. But desensitize is more often used when talking about negative emotions. Parents worry that their children will be desensitized to violence by playing video games. Soldiers may become desensitized to death on the battlefield. Desensitizing may be natural and desirable under some circumstances, but maybe not so good in others.

Examples of desensitize in a Sentence

The shot will help to desensitize the nerve.

Recent Examples on the Web

Maupin grew up in the area by the airport, desensitized to planes. —Melissa Chan, NBC news, 8 June 2025

Trying to build positive associations with being home alone can also help desensitize dogs and counter-condition them from this fear. —Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025

The idea is to desensitize an allergic person to a specific allergen, like pollen or cat dander. —Sarah Klein, Time, 30 Apr. 2025

But after years of being desensitized to ethical issues, America could be perfectly content with that tradeoff. —Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for desensitize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Medical Definition

desensitize

transitive verb

de·​sen·​si·​tize

variants also British desensitise

(ˈ)dē-ˈsen(t)-sə-ˌtīz 

desensitized also British desensitised; desensitizing also British desensitising

: to make less sensitive : reduce sensitivity in

desensitize a nerve with a local anesthetic

: as

a

: to make (a sensitized or hypersensitive individual) insensitive or nonreactive to a sensitizing agent

b

: to extinguish an emotional response (as of fear, anxiety, or guilt) to stimuli which formerly induced it : make emotionally insensitive

evidence that violence on television desensitizes children to actual violence

—Stephanie Harrington

c

: to decrease a response (as of a cell receptor) progressively following prolonged exposure to a stimulus

formation of cAMP was reduced significantly in desensitized cells and remained low in the continuous presence of agonist

—S. M. Nilius et al.

desensitization noun

also British desensitisation

(ˌ)dē-ˌsen-sət-ə-ˈzā-shən, -ˌsen-stə-ˈzā-