sensitize

[ sen-si-tahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, sen·si·tized, sen·si·tiz·ing.

1. to render sensitive.
2. Photography. to render (a film or the like) sensitive to light or other forms of radiant energy.
3. Immunology. to render sensitive to an antigenic substance.

verb (used without object)

, sen·si·tized, sen·si·tiz·ing.

1. to become sensitized.

sensitize

/ ˈsɛnsɪˌtaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become sensitive
2. tr to render (an individual) sensitive to a drug, allergen, etc
3. tr photog to make (a material) sensitive to light or to other actinic radiation, esp to light of a particular colour, by coating it with a photographic emulsion often containing special chemicals, such as dyes

Derived Forms

• ˈsensiˌtizer, noun
• ˌsensitiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• sensi·tizer noun
• anti·sensi·tizer noun
• anti·sensi·tizing adjective
• non·sensi·tized adjective
• non·sensi·tizing adjective
• over·sensi·tize verb oversensitized oversensitizing
• re·sensi·tize verb (used with object) resensitized resensitizing
• un·sensi·tize verb (used with object) unsensitized unsensitizing

Word History and Origins

Origin of sensitize¹

First recorded in 1855–60; sensit(ive) + -ize

Example Sentences

“What this bill will do is help educate and sensitize electeds, judges, police, teachers, media and civil society in to what constitutes antisemitism,” Berman said.

From Seattle Times

In patients with ATM alterations, which should sensitize tumors to ATR inhibitors, the ORR increased to 26.1%.

From Science Daily

Starlink has a “traceability program to determine the quality of cocoa, know the farmers, and sensitize them on best practices,” Abubakar said.

From Seattle Times

Vivitrol may also sensitize opioid receptors because the system reacts to having less opioid activity when they are blocked.

From Scientific American

“With Rambo, we might be able to sensitize these children a little and show them that, yes, he is injured, he’s different, but he can do the same things as other dogs.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• sharpen