sensitize

verb

sen·​si·​tize ˈsen(t)-sə-ˌtīz 

sensitized; sensitizing

transitive verb

: to make sensitive or hypersensitive

intransitive verb

: to become sensitive

sensitizer noun

Examples of sensitize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, carnosine Best For: Sensitive or sensitized skin Dosage: 3-5 drops in the morning Size: 1 fl. oz. —Deanna Pai, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025

Some research has shown blueberry extract can help sensitize cancer cells to the effects of radiation treatment. —Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 23 Apr. 2025

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, reishi mushroom, tranexamic acid Best For: Sensitive or sensitized skin Dosage: 1-3 pumps, morning and night Size: 1 fl. oz. —Deanna Pai, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025

In short, our defense mechanisms fail to sensitize employees to the dangers of spam and scam messages—and as a result, do not improve overall cybersecurity. —Kevin Korte, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

sensitive + -ize

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing sensitize

• re-sensitize

Rhymes for sensitize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

sensitize

verb

sen·​si·​tize ˈsen(t)-sə-ˌtīz 

sensitized; sensitizing

: to make or become sensitive

Medical Definition

sensitize

transitive verb

sen·​si·​tize

variants also British sensitise

ˈsen(t)-sə-ˌtīz 

sensitized also British sensitised; sensitizing also British sensitising

: to make sensitive or hypersensitive

the patient was sensitized to the drug