hypersensitive

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

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of hypersensitive

1 : excessively or abnormally sensitive

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

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hypersensitiveness

noun

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hypersensitivity

play \ˌhī-pər-ˌsen(t)-sə-ˈti-və-tē\ noun

See hypersensitive defined for English-language learners

See hypersensitive defined for kids

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 of hypersensitive from the Web

With Midnight Sun hitting theaters on Friday, a spotlight is being put on the rare genetic disorder xeroderma pigmentosa, or XP, that makes Bella Thorne’s character, Katie, hypersensitive to the sun.

— PEOPLE.com, "For Children with This Rare Life-Threatening Skin Condition, Sunlight Can Kill," 23 Mar. 2018
Some hypersensitive McClatchy parents have responded to criticism that HISP lacks in diversity by worrying that Aguilar would lower the standards of prized academic programs in Sacramento schools.

— marcos breton, sacbee, "His job is to fix racial inequality in Sacramento schools. Will you support him? | The Sacramento Bee," 24 Feb. 2018
If the now hypersensitive person is stung again, their immune system will, in essence, overreact to those proteins.

— weldon b. johnson, azcentral, "Killer bees DO want to sting you. Know these Africanized-bee safety tips.," 17 Mar. 2018
Duterte, who came to office in mid-2016, has been hypersensitive to criticism of his anti-drug crackdown and other policies, especially by Western governments, the United Nations and human rights groups.

— Washington Post, "US envoy summoned after Duterte named in threat report," 23 Feb. 2018
Children engage in repetitive and sometimes harmful behaviors, like rocking and head-banging, and are hypersensitive to sound and light, with exposure often triggering tantrum-like meltdowns.

— debra kamin, Newsweek, "Is Marijuana the World’s Most Effective Treatment for Autism?," 15 Feb. 2018
Still the stereotypes associated with it — that migraine sufferers are hypersensitive, whiny women — persist.

— katy schneider, The Cut, "My Seven-Month Migraine," 31 Jan. 2018
Aren’t some people hypersensitive, imagining slights, or looking for a reason to feel righteously indignant?

— joyce wadler, New York Times, "It Wasn’t an Oversight. I Meant to Ignore You.," 26 Oct. 2017
Then there was his chronic bent for self-sabotage, which turned with quick, hypersensitive bitterness against band members, business partners, and live audiences alike.

— carl wilson, Slate Magazine, "If You Miss Leonard Cohen, Then You Need to Meet Mark Eitzel," 30 Jan. 2017

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.

First Known Use of hypersensitive

1871

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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HYPERSENSITIVE Defined for English Language Learners

hypersensitive

adjective

Definition of hypersensitive for English Language Learners

: having feelings that are very easily hurt
: very strongly and easily affected or harmed by something (such as a drug)

HYPERSENSITIVE Defined for Kids

hypersensitive

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

Definition of hypersensitive for Students

: very sensitive

These plants are hypersensitive to cold.

Medical Dictionary

hypersensitive

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

medical Definition of hypersensitive

1 : excessively or abnormally sensitive

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

—

hypersensitiveness

noun

—

hypersensitivity

play \-ˌsen(t)-sə-ˈtiv-ət-ē\ noun, plural hypersensitivities

Seen and Heard

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hypersensitive

Definition of hypersensitive

hypersensitiveness

hypersensitivity

Examples of hypersensitive in a Sentence

Recent Examples of hypersensitive from the Web

First Known Use of hypersensitive

HYPERSENSITIVE Defined for English Language Learners

hypersensitive

Definition of hypersensitive for English Language Learners

HYPERSENSITIVE Defined for Kids

hypersensitive

Definition of hypersensitive for Students

Medical Dictionary

hypersensitive

medical Definition of hypersensitive

hypersensitiveness

hypersensitivity

Seen and Heard

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