hypersensitive

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

How to pronounce hypersensitive (audio)

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Definition of hypersensitive

1 : excessively or abnormally sensitive

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

Other Words from hypersensitive Example Sentences Learn More about hypersensitive

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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 Some cases of colic may also be the earliest symptom of migraine, a heritable neurological disorder that makes the brain hypersensitive and is best known for causing painful headaches. — Patricia Waldron, New York Times, "All Babies Cry, but How Much Is Too Much?," 18 Apr. 2020 In fact, scientists who've studied the changes in a mother's brain post-birth have found that adjustments in the amygdala — a small set of neurons shaped like an almond — can make a mother hypersensitive to the needs of her newborn. — Jessica Zucker, Good Housekeeping, "Postpartum Anxiety Doesn't Get the Attention It Deserves Since Moms Assume It's Normal to Worry," 8 Apr. 2020 Palmroth thinks this slice of the atmosphere, which encompasses the boundary between the planet’s atmosphere and the cosmos beyond, is hypersensitive to changes in solar activity. — NBC News, "A new aurora? Researchers say 'the dunes' aren't like the usual lights in the sky," 29 Jan. 2020 The boy has severe headaches and is hypersensitive to normal levels of sound, according to his aunt and Dr. Amy Cohen, an advocate working with the family. — Nomaan Merchant, Houston Chronicle, "ICE sued over treatment of 5-year-old with head injury at Texas detention center," 8 Feb. 2020 The boy has severe headaches and is hypersensitive to normal levels of sound, according to his aunt and Dr. Amy Cohen, an advocate working with the family. — CBS News, "ICE sued over treatment of 5-year-old with head injury," 8 Feb. 2020 Delving into this hypersensitive political argument would serve no useful purpose to the public, acting only to further divide the nation and tarnish the court’s reputation. — Dahleen Glanton, chicagotribune.com, "Column: With presidential election looming, Supreme Court should take a lesson from Bush v. Gore and pass on questions over Trump’s taxes," 13 Nov. 2019 Trump, hypersensitive to his domestic political fortunes, has played a strong hand weakly. — Karim Sadjadpour, Time, "Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei Is One Despot Trump Might Not Win Over," 3 Oct. 2019 After all, their fellow politicians are nothing if not hypersensitive to even the slightest shifts in the winds of power. — Jonathan Allen, NBC News, "Amid 'race card' allegations, Pelosi teaches Ocasio-Cortez a math lesson," 14 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hypersensitive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near hypersensitive

hypersalivation

hypersensibility

Statistics for hypersensitive

Last Updated

11 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Hypersensitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypersensitive. Accessed 3 Jun. 2020.

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More Definitions for hypersensitive

hypersensitive

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of hypersensitive

: having feelings that are very easily hurt

: very strongly and easily affected or harmed by something (such as a drug)

See the full definition for hypersensitive in the English Language Learners Dictionary

hypersensitive

hy·per·sen·si·tive | \ ˌhī-pər-ˈsen-sə-tiv

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Kids Definition of hypersensitive

: very sensitive These plants are hypersensitive to cold.

hypersensitive

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

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Medical Definition of hypersensitive

1 : excessively or abnormally sensitive

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

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