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

• ruthless
• merciless
• callous
• abusive
• hard

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

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

To many on the right, and in the generally right-leaning local TV business, the remark was more than merely insensitive. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 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

Regardless, these comments are blatantly insensitive as political violence should never be tolerated or exploited as comedic entertainment, no matter who perpetrated it. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025

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