insensitive

adjective

in·​sen·​si·​tive (ˌ)in-ˈsen(t)-s(ə-)tiv How to pronounce insensitive (audio)
Synonyms of insensitivenext
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

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
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To validate their findings, the researchers compared the mammalian TRPM8 with a version found in birds, which is mostly insensitive to cold despite its nearly identical appearance. Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 25 Mar. 2026 Her complaint detailed inappropriate comments made in front of USC donors and staff, as well as insensitive or discriminatory remarks made in her presence. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026 On the red carpet, a journalist made a racially insensitive comment about her hairstyle. Valentine Ulgu-Servant, Vanity Fair, 19 Mar. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for insensitive

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of insensitive was in 1834

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Cite this Entry

“Insensitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insensitive. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

insensitive

adjective
in·​sen·​si·​tive (ˈ)in-ˈsen(t)-sət-iv How to pronounce insensitive (audio)
-ˈsen(t)-stiv
: not sensitive
especially : lacking feeling
insensitively adverb

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