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
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 leave of absence was related to an insensitive comment made at a crime scene, and not the current allegations, Fox59 reported.
—
Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
To add insult to injury, YouTube TV chose to take this step during Hispanic Heritage Month – an act that is deeply insensitive and offensive.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
At least four school districts — Peabody, Framingham, Sharon and Wachusett Regional, which includes the towns of Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland and Sterling — have taken action against teachers in response to posts deemed inappropriate and insensitive.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
Statues of confederate generals came tumbling down, and people were publicly shamed on Twitter and fired by their employers over remarks deemed racially insensitive.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insensitive
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
To add insult to injury, YouTube TV chose to take this step during Hispanic Heritage Month – an act that is deeply insensitive and offensive.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
At least four school districts — Peabody, Framingham, Sharon and Wachusett Regional, which includes the towns of Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland and Sterling — have taken action against teachers in response to posts deemed inappropriate and insensitive.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
Statues of confederate generals came tumbling down, and people were publicly shamed on Twitter and fired by their employers over remarks deemed racially insensitive.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insensitive
Cite this Entry
“Insensitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insensitive. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insensitive
adjective
in·sen·si·tive
(ˈ)in-ˈsen(t)-sət-iv
-ˈsen(t)-stiv
: not sensitive
especially
: lacking feeling
insensitively
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share