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

Her daughters still hear racial slurs at school, and students make insensitive comments about their hair. —ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026

He’s visibly relieved when Barbara accepts the critique and apologizes for the insensitive remark. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 4 Mar. 2026

Davidson has a form of Tourette syndrome called coprolalia, which is the involuntary use of offensive or insensitive language. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 3 Mar. 2026

Some Talarico supporters rejected the idea that raising those concerns was insensitive to Blacks and women, leaving hard feelings. —Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 3 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