1
as in callousness
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
2
as in insensitiveness
Related Words
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 insensitivity
Directness is often confused with insensitivity.
—
Jonathan Alpert Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
The majority reported being treated rudely by providers, insensitivity regarding modesty requirements, or having their pain disregarded.
—Anisah Bagasra, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
For Bravo, race has always been that lingering chink in its armor — and the latest burgeoning Summer House drama threatens to continue to chip away at the network’s feeble defense against claims of racial insensitivity.
—Shamira Ibrahim, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
Hicks, meanwhile, is facing allegations from Democratic candidates of bullying, elitism and racial insensitivity.
—ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
One flashpoint came after comments related to standardized testing sparked accusations of racial insensitivity.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 1 Mar. 2026
After a two-hour tale of comical deception, betrayal, emotional cruelty, insensitivity and obliviousness, the audience is expected to swallow a message of caring and community.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026
My disappointment in Vigil came down to the waste of a perfect setup for exhibiting the worldly redemption of art—that is, its power to redeem us from insensitivity and self-satisfaction.
—Julius Taranto, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Does their lack of kindness grant you permission to respond with equal insensitivity or even cruelty?
—Michael Isaacson, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Jonathan Alpert Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
The majority reported being treated rudely by providers, insensitivity regarding modesty requirements, or having their pain disregarded.
—Anisah Bagasra, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
For Bravo, race has always been that lingering chink in its armor — and the latest burgeoning Summer House drama threatens to continue to chip away at the network’s feeble defense against claims of racial insensitivity.
—Shamira Ibrahim, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
Hicks, meanwhile, is facing allegations from Democratic candidates of bullying, elitism and racial insensitivity.
—ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
One flashpoint came after comments related to standardized testing sparked accusations of racial insensitivity.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 1 Mar. 2026
After a two-hour tale of comical deception, betrayal, emotional cruelty, insensitivity and obliviousness, the audience is expected to swallow a message of caring and community.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026
My disappointment in Vigil came down to the waste of a perfect setup for exhibiting the worldly redemption of art—that is, its power to redeem us from insensitivity and self-satisfaction.
—Julius Taranto, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Does their lack of kindness grant you permission to respond with equal insensitivity or even cruelty?
—Michael Isaacson, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insensitivity
Noun
-
Antisocial personality includes a persistent pattern of traits such as callousness, lack of concern, deceitfulness, and irresponsibility, Ryan said.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Our society seems to be spiraling into a vortex of callousness, ignorance, cynicism, violence, intolerance, and hate.—
Rabbi Dan Levin,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These young graduates start out naive about the heartlessness of the corporate world and harbor illusory hopes for success in unforgiving professions.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The lives of the two children in the story, aged fourteen and four, are portrayed as being as fleeting as the fireflies, and the story is an unsentimental and unflinching account with moments of both tenderness and heartlessness.—
Ginny Tapley Takemori
September 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Its furnishings were anything but describable, having been conceived, manufactured, shipped, and sold in various states of thoughtlessness, greed, and indifference.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
-
But the movie not wanting to open that particular can of worms isn’t surprising — this is a film that thrives on bloodshed and thoughtlessness.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
When Charles was set to come face to face with one of the brightest, youngest faces of American politics, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, he was met with only a coldness and reminder of the crimes of British imperialism.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The term implies godlike deftness and speed but also a certain impersonal coldness — skill at the expense of passion.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
China has gained, not suffered, from this obduracy.—
JONATHAN A. CZIN,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Nov. 2025
-
Related: ‘Neglected diseases’ are anything but neglected by the billion-plus people living with them One possible reason for this obduracy is that noma begins as a dental disease, and dental diseases have long been underappreciated global health concerns.—
John Button,
STAT,
16 Dec. 2023
Noun
-
Going into the study, the team hypothesized that pincers built for generating high crushing force would contain the highest levels of metal to provide maximum hardness, while enrichment in the weaker, slender pincers would be lower.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
1 May 2026
-
Its replaceable filters will help reduce water hardness.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Unfortunately, Strings is the Icarus to the blazing sun of ultra coolness.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Joining the richness of cream, the coolness of ice, and the texture of rice was likely formulated in China around 2000 BCE.—
Del Mar Historical Society,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insensitivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insensitivity. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
