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as in sensory
of or relating to physical sensation or the senses sensitive data

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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sensitive

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sensitive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sensitive are exposed, liable, open, prone, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.

unduly sensitive to criticism

When is exposed a more appropriate choice than sensitive?

The words exposed and sensitive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.

exposed to infection

When is it sensible to use liable instead of sensitive?

While the synonyms liable and sensitive are close in meaning, liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.

liable to get lost

When could open be used to replace sensitive?

The words open and sensitive can be used in similar contexts, but open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.

a claim open to question

Where would prone be a reasonable alternative to sensitive?

The synonyms prone and sensitive are sometimes interchangeable, but prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.

prone to delay

When would subject be a good substitute for sensitive?

Although the words subject and sensitive have much in common, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.

all reports are subject to review

In what contexts can susceptible take the place of sensitive?

While in some cases nearly identical to sensitive, susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.

very susceptible to flattery

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 sensitive
Adjective
Given the dearth of formal treatments and accommodations, McCampbell’s ability to help sensitives through her consulting work is somewhat limited. Evan Malmgren, Harper's Magazine, 21 Aug. 2024 Our beauty test team represents a range of needs and preferences, including varying lash textures and lengths, different glam preferences, and specific sensitives like those with allergies or who wear contact lenses. Olivia Cigliano, WWD, 30 July 2024
Noun
Lawmakers had grown concerned that the Chinese government could access sensitive data from American users or manipulate content on the platform. Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025 Just 48 hours before kicking off her first show, the singer's choreographer and one of her dancers reported to police that several sensitive items were stolen from their rental car. Caché McClay, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sensitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensitive
Adjective
  • Many of the night’s attendees also were keen to meet Dolores Huerta, the 95-year-old icon who is known for her work in both the labor and feminist movements.
    Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Plenty of Republican senators, including Marsha Blackburn and Josh Hawley, are keen to pass regulation that mitigates AI harms.
    Andrew R. Chow, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Crops such as rice and soybeans are also vulnerable as excessive UV-B can reduce yields and threaten food security.
    Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Advertisement This granular knowledge and deep curiosity is also what drives Speer’s long-standing dedication to protecting the vast, vulnerable open ocean and deep-sea environments that lie outside of national borders and hold some of the largest reservoirs of biodiversity on earth.
    Bonnie Tsui, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The institutions of the new democracy were fragile, and the military still wielded enough influence to block meaningful accountability.
    Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The gown has since become too fragile to showcase and doesn’t leave the museum.
    Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Sierra Space is exploring how to design spacecraft for people who would never have been selected as astronauts in the past, including those with chronic illnesses or sensory impairments.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Sniffing fulfills a major part of a canine's sensory needs, one just as important as play and physical and mental exercise.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Ncell, Nepal’s second-largest telecommunications service provider, noted that shutting down all platforms at once was, in any case, technically difficult and warned that the move would severely impact business.
    Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Last summer, after years of hip problems and some difficult surgeries to address them, Jill had an operation that went poorly.
    Bianca Bosker, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Willing to try anything, Mary began speaking to alleged psychics.
    Bjorn Dihle, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Murderous beasts, brain-eating zombies, a school filled with werewolves, psychics and other Outcasts, and a tangle of mysteries.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Additionally, the company stands out by prioritizing culture and vision over quick commissions.
    William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Roberson, leader of the church since 2023, has also opened the doors of the Cathedral from Monday-Saturday for tours, prayers or anyone walking by who needs a quick respite from the Miami heat.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The largest member of the grass family, bamboo is combustible, susceptible to deterioration and weaker in rain, raising legitimate questions about its durability, Arup’s Ho said.
    Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Those are straightforward power rushes designed to contain mobile quarterbacks rather than spamming exotic pressure looks that could leave the defensive line susceptible to holes.
    Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sensitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensitive. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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