1
as in unconscious
lacking animate awareness or sensation
the belief that God is immanent in all things, even insensate objects
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2
as in ruthless
having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings
an insensate boss who refuses to allow time off for funerals
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Recent Examples of insensate
The brain, like other internal organs, is insensate, its lack of sensory receptors attested by videos of virtuoso violinists who play on unfazed as neurosurgeons go to work inside their skulls.
—
Matthew Ponsford, WIRED, 19 Sep. 2024
But states have used midazolam alone — and at much higher doses — in executions since 2013, claiming the drug will render people insensate to pain before the administration of other lethal injection drugs.
—Lauren Gill, ProPublica, 29 Apr. 2023
Jerome Powell and his Federal Reserve colleagues are hardly insensate to the risk that their inflation-fighting actions might bring Mr. Trump back to power.
—Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, 14 June 2022
Realigning themselves with sophomoric virtues, the stars sell their souls in accommodation to the insensate new era.
—Armond White, National Review, 28 Oct. 2020
Matthew Ponsford, WIRED, 19 Sep. 2024
But states have used midazolam alone — and at much higher doses — in executions since 2013, claiming the drug will render people insensate to pain before the administration of other lethal injection drugs.
—Lauren Gill, ProPublica, 29 Apr. 2023
Jerome Powell and his Federal Reserve colleagues are hardly insensate to the risk that their inflation-fighting actions might bring Mr. Trump back to power.
—Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, 14 June 2022
Realigning themselves with sophomoric virtues, the stars sell their souls in accommodation to the insensate new era.
—Armond White, National Review, 28 Oct. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insensate
Adjective
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He was hospitalized, cleared, returned to a jail cell, then found unconscious that afternoon, and succumbed to his injuries, according to the Contra Costa County sheriff’s office.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Metcalf remained unconscious when firefighters left the hospital.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Bills are ruthless in the red zone, and don’t have much need for either a kicker or punter, but Prater and Mitch Wishnowsky have both had solid seasons.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
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Our federally dependent market must endure three more years of a ruthless and petty federal administration with a national mandate to cut spending.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Songbirds bond for seasons, octopuses defend their mates, and children shower their affection on inanimate plushies.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Nov. 2025
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Many people backed his daughter because there was a dog outside in a way, while others acknowledge how creepy that inanimate face could be to a child.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Iran’s attorney general has vowed to pursue merciless legal action against the latter, including the death penalty.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
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With a merciless 56-22 thumping of Oregon in the Peach Bowl, the Hoosiers punched their ticket to their first national championship game appearance in program history.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The greatest accusation levied against her is the crime of being an unfeeling mother.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
11 Aug. 2025
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Then, the men had to walk around as these unfeeling, aggressive, hyper-masculine creatures.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Without prosecutors empowered to bring charges against wrongdoers, judges willing to strike down overreach, legislators daring enough to demand investigations and change laws, and citizens outraged enough to protest, any revelations by journalists will fall on stony ground.—
Susan Chira,
Foreign Affairs,
2 Dec. 2025
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After that historic journey, NASA charted a new course toward Apophis, a stony metal-rich NEA that offers a sharp scientific contrast to Bennu's carbon-rich composition (and was once thought to pose a serious impact risk to Earth).—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
28 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Join me in praying for the victims of such senseless violence and all the families of this church.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
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And now this- a senseless killing of an American by ICE.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Markets are callous and only react meaningfully when these events impact economic fundamentals or lead to a change in policy.—
Chloe Taylor,Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
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In addition to callous disregard for former Marylanders’ livelihoods and well-being, by not maintaining the voter rolls, the State Board of Elections disrespects every single Marylander who has a right to vote.—
Nicolee Ambrose,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insensate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insensate. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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