INSENSITIVELY Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

insensitively

adverb

as in callously

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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 biggest fear for people who want to see books preserved through the training process is that AI firms will callously pulp rare books that can never be replaced.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026
Conventional wisdom callously had it that audiences might never return, especially after the pandemic in 2020 was followed in short order in 2023 by two prolonged industrywide strikes.

— Adam Aron, Variety, 29 July 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

Players ruthlessly compete for victory points derived from controlling systems, building specific structures, discovering artifacts, and researching scientific innovations.

— Alan Bradley, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026
In your case, the truth is that this friend has been ruthlessly — and rudely — taking advantage of your good nature.

— Judith Martin, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 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

Walter’s ties to immigrant detention resulted in protests from members of the Los Angeles community, including many Dodgers fans, who felt that ICE inhumanely targeted them.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
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

Definition of inhumanely

Adverb

Republican lawmakers have largely remained silent about the conditions on the Lincoln – not harshly criticizing the administration, but not defending it either.

— Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026
At the final stop, so to speak, before Antarctica, the weather is harshly volatile, and in the wilderness surrounding the few small cities and towns, civilization dwindles almost to nothing.

— Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of harshly

Browse Nearby Words

insensitive

insensitively

insensitiveness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Insensitively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insensitively. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of insensitively

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

rigmarole

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes