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

Wall Street is hypersensitive to cash flows these days given the arms race to invest in artificial intelligence. —Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 May 2026

Imagine creating a new standard of hypersensitive caution about attracting even the most persnickety media criticism, and then applying it for the first time to your son’s wedding. —Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026

Americans are hypersensitive to cost increases after years of price spikes. —Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 13 Mar. 2026

Ignoring the hypersensitive economy, the administration is demanding interest-rate cuts and raising doubts about the Fed’s future independence. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 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