hypersensitize

verb

hy·​per·​sen·​si·​tize ˌhī-pər-ˈsen(t)-sə-ˌtīz 

variants also British hypersensitise

hypersensitized; hypersensitizing

transitive verb

: to cause extreme or excessive sensitivity in : to make (something or someone) hypersensitive

hypersensitize tumor cells to chemotherapeutic agents

… subdued by censorship and hypersensitized by inherited and actual grievances.

—Joseph O'Neill

Ironically, these painkillers can even end up hypersensitizing people to pain.

—Emily Yoffe

hypersensitization

ˌhī-pər-ˌsen(t)-sə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

-ˌsen(t)s-tə-ˈzā-

noun

also British hypersensitisation

central nervous system hypersensitization

hypersensitization of film for astronomical photography

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hypersensitize

• contextualize
• industrialize
• materialise
• materialize
• memorialize
• microenterprise
• overemphasize
• particularize
• revolutionise
• revolutionize
• actualize
• antagonize

Medical Definition

hypersensitize

transitive verb

hy·​per·​sen·​si·​tize

variants also British hypersensitise

-ˈsen(t)-sə-ˌtīz 

hypersensitized also British hypersensitised; hypersensitizing also British hypersensitising

: to make hypersensitive