insensitive

adjective

in·​sen·​si·​tive (ˌ)in-ˈsen(t)-s(ə-)tiv 

1

a

: lacking feeling or tact

so insensitive as to laugh at someone in pain

b

: not responsive or susceptible

insensitive to the demands of the public

2

: not physically or chemically sensitive

insensitively adverb

insensitiveness noun

insensitivity

(ˌ)in-ˌsen(t)-sə-ˈti-və-tē 

noun

Synonyms of insensitive

• ruthless
• merciless
• stony
• callous
• abusive

Examples of insensitive in a Sentence

He's just a rude, insensitive jerk.

It was insensitive of her to say that.

Recent Examples on the Web

Other retailers have also pulled merchandise that critics deemed racially insensitive, discriminatory or offensive after public backlash and social media protests. — Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

So have other terms considered insensitive, such as master/slave and blackhat/whitehat. — Jo MacKiewicz, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026

Watts was also hindering the healing process by being insensitive and self-centered, friends say. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026

This signals a structural shift where central banks, driven by reserve diversification and sanctions risk, are now the primary, price-insensitive buyers. — Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for insensitive

• hypersensitive
• photosensitive
• radiosensitive
• sensitive

Kids Definition

insensitive

adjective

in·​sen·​si·​tive (ˈ)in-ˈsen(t)-sət-iv 

-ˈsen(t)-stiv

: not sensitive

especially : lacking feeling

insensitively adverb

insensitivity

(ˌ)in-ˌsen(t)-sə-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

noun