INSENSITIVELY Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

insensitively

adverb

as in callously

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of insensitively Residents were treated carelessly, disrespectfully, insensitively. — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026 In this volatile environment, comments that appear to minimize or frame the shooting insensitively—like Matt Gutman's—can quickly become career-ending. — Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025 Sahroni has faced accusations of responding insensitively to people calling for parliament to be dissolved amid anger over lawmakers’ allowances. — CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for insensitively

Adverb

The department was known to operate callously, firing people by email or locking them out of buildings.

— Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
Altman accused of making ChatGPT unsafe The lawsuit joins prior suits accusing Altman of callously deploying AI systems without regard for user safety.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 1 June 2026

Definition of callously

Adverb

Victim Nyron Shaw’s father said the driver who mowed his son down last year in Ocean Hill a day before Independence Day should face the maximum penalty for allegedly driving twice the speed limit and heartlessly taking off, leaving his son to die.

— Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
In the process, Joel heartlessly killed some innocent people, including medical professionals.

— EW.com, EW.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Definition of heartlessly

Adverb

This summer will not repeat the last, where 14 new players arrived at a cost of £170million ($228m) to ruthlessly overhaul a promotion-winning squad.

— Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 July 2026
But when the swirl of events beyond their control caught them into something immeasurably larger than a single game of soccer, not even the strength of their new mentality was enough to prevent them from being ruthlessly swept away.

— Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 7 July 2026

Definition of ruthlessly

Adverb

Despite her clear influence, Rico was mercilessly heckled by Carti fans during her performance at the Portland tour stop.

— Mehan Jayasuriya, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026
Long pants in summer may not be at the top of your shopping list, but this set is so handy (and polished) for travel days or times in the office when the AC is mercilessly blasting.

— Annie Blackman, InStyle, 23 July 2026

Definition of mercilessly

Adverb

In May 2025, the zoo posted a video of authorities taking a giraffe and accused them of seizing it inhumanely.

— Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 22 June 2026
The complaints also allege the 37 people detained were taken to the Broadview ICE detention center where they were treated inhumanely.

— Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 13 May 2026

Definition of inhumanely

Adverb

Like other senior bankers, Sehnaoui was harshly criticized following Lebanon's historic economic meltdown in 2019, when most people lost access to their money.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
He was fired, a little harshly, in May 2021 after one season, having delivered a Coppa Italia to go with a fourth-place finish.

— James Horncastle, New York Times, 28 July 2026

Definition of harshly

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insensitive

insensitively

insensitiveness

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“Insensitively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insensitively. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of insensitively

adverb

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