insensitive

[ in-sen-si-tiv ]

adjective

1. deficient in human sensibility, acuteness of feeling, or consideration; unfeeling; callous:

   an insensitive person.

2. not physically sensitive:

   insensitive skin.

3. not affected by physical or chemical agencies or influences:

   insensitive to light.

4. not readily responsive or aware:

   insensitive to the needs of the peasants.

insensitive

/ ɪnˈsɛnsɪtɪv /

adjective

1. lacking sensitivity; unfeeling
2. lacking physical sensation
3. postpositivefoll byto not sensitive (to) or affected (by)

   insensitive to radiation

Derived Forms

• inˈsensitively, adverb
• inˈsensitiveness, noun

Other Words From

• in·sensi·tive·ness in·sensi·tivi·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of insensitive¹

First recorded in 1600–10; in- ³ + sensitive

Example Sentences

The girl is also at the centre of an abduction plot - something community leader Sue-Anne Hunter called a "particularly insensitive choice", given the "painful historical context" of the Stolen Generations.

From BBC

The show tried a few different tacks, just a week after Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on the show, including a cold open that mocked Trump by having the entire cast pretend to support him and a Burr monologue that, depending on how you viewed it, was either wildly insensitive to dejected Harris supporters, particularly women, or provocatively ironic.

From Los Angeles Times

Progressives blasted Gallego as insensitive.

From Los Angeles Times

She was a First Amendment absolutist when it came to humor, but comedy evolves and one generation’s daring hilarity is another’s insensitive cruelty.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump’s allies have hit back at Democrats, accusing actor George Lopez of making an insensitive joke about Mexicans as he spoke at a Kamala Harris rally in Arizona over the weekend.

From BBC

Related Words

• crass
• heartless
• uncaring
• unkind
• unresponsive