: not sensitive: such as
a
: showing that you do not know or care about the feelings of other people
He's just a rude, insensitive jerk.
a racially insensitive comment [=an offensive comment about a person's race]
It was insensitive of her to say that.
b
: not responding to or caring about problems, changes, or needs
an insensitive bureaucracy
—often + toThe government has been insensitive to the public's demands.
Managers must not be insensitive to the needs of their employees.
c
not used before a noun
: not greatly affected by something
—usually + to
He was insensitive to the risks involved in starting a business.
insensitive to pain
Cite this Entry
“Insensitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/insensitive. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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