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

Modern mass spectrometry faces a sequential bottleneck because most instruments analyze molecules one by one, a process that is often too slow and insensitive to detect rare but key biological signals. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Mar. 2026

Further, Barnhart said Kouros made an insensitive comment after Barnhart mentioned that a photo of her fiancé, who was killed in the line of duty, was displayed in the polling location. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026

Her daughters still hear racial slurs at school, and students make insensitive comments about their hair. —Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026

Her daughters still hear racial slurs at school, and students make insensitive comments about their hair. —ABC News, 5 Mar. 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