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

That approach to broadcasting would have to evolve in response to changing community standards as what once was considered de rigueur and playful on sports talk radio might be deemed insensitive, or worse, today. —Phil Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026

Experiences of inconsistent or insensitive care can lead you to expect the worst of other people, a core feature of insecure attachment. —Jessica A. Stern, The Conversation, 23 Jan. 2026

That explains why gold’s demand profile has become notably insensitive to price fluctuations. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

As a result, companies returned much of their capital to shareholders in the form of buybacks and dividends, which were plowed back into financial markets, often in price-insensitive passive funds that inflate valuations, the report argued. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 16 Jan. 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