1
a
: easily upset by the things that people think or say about you
a moody, sensitive teenager
He acts like a tough guy, but he's really very sensitive to criticism.
—often + aboutShe's painfully/overly sensitive about her looks. [=she cares very/too much about what people say or think about her looks]
a sensitive soul [=a person who is easily hurt emotionally]
b
: likely to cause people to become upset
sensitive [=touchy] topics/issues
a politically sensitive decision
2
a
: aware of and understanding the feelings of other people
I found him to be a sensitive and caring person.
—often + toShe was sensitive to the fears of her patients.
b
: having an understanding of something : aware of something
—+ to
We are sensitive to the need to act quickly in this situation.
3
: easily affected by something in a way that is not pleasant or good : reacting to something in, on, or around you in a bad way
sensitive skin
—often + toShe is sensitive to pollen (in the air).
My teeth are sensitive to cold foods.
I am sensitive to wheat. [=I become ill when I eat wheat]
Now that I'm older, I'm more sensitive to (the) cold. [=I feel colder in cold surroundings now than I did in the past]
4
: able to express thoughts and feelings through writing, music, dance, etc.
a sensitive poet/artist
an exquisitely sensitive dance performance
5
technical
a
: able to sense very small changes in something
a highly sensitive device/instrument
sensitive scales
b
: changing in response to something
light-sensitive film = film that is sensitive to light
6
: needing to be handled in a careful or secret way in order to protect someone or something
highly sensitive information [=information that could be harmful if many people knew it; information that should be kept secret]
sensitive financial data
Cite this Entry
“Sensitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/sensitive. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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