1
as in callousness
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2
as in insensitiveness
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Recent Examples of insensitivity
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
This shocking ignorance and insensitivity by Ocasio-Cortez should rule her out of any potential presidential bid or other high office.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 14 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
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
This shocking ignorance and insensitivity by Ocasio-Cortez should rule her out of any potential presidential bid or other high office.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 14 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
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There’s another nice juxtaposition in this episode, this time highlighting Robby’s callousness.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
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The killing in the woods of Knoxville demonstrated a brutality and callousness rarely seen in a woman, let alone one so young.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
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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
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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
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The coldness of the water constricts arteries, requiring the heart to work harder than normal to function.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2026
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The song has said everything that Ines can’t bring herself to, and her coldness chips away in the days and weeks that follow.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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China has gained, not suffered, from this obduracy.—
JONATHAN A. CZIN,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Nov. 2025
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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
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Another method is to perform a soil hardness test.—
Nora Doonan,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
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Experts recommend descaling every one to three months, depending on water hardness, and suggest preventative measures like occasional hot cycles, using the correct detergent amount, and regular wiping of machine parts.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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The coolness follows earlier bouts of 90-degree temperatures across Southern California.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insensitivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insensitivity. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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