desensitize

[ dee-sen-si-tahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, de·sen·si·tized, de·sen·si·tiz·ing.

1. to lessen the sensitiveness of.
2. to make indifferent, unaware, or the like, in feeling.
3. Photography. to make less sensitive or wholly insensitive to light, as the emulsion on a film.
4. Printing. to treat (the design on a lithographic plate) with an etch in order to increase the capacity to retain moisture, and to remove traces of grease.
5. Chemistry. to reduce the sensitivity of (an explosive) to those stimuli capable of detonating it.

desensitize

/ diːˈsɛnsɪˌtaɪz /

verb

1. to render insensitive or less sensitive

   to desensitize photographic film

   the patient was desensitized to the allergen

2. psychol to decrease the abnormal fear in (a person) of a situation or object, by exposing him to it either in reality or in his imagination

Derived Forms

• deˈsensiˌtizer, noun
• deˌsensitiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• de·sensi·tizer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of desensitize¹

First recorded in 1900–05; de- + sensitize

Example Sentences

“I just became so desensitized to everything going on that I was like, ‘OK, this is my relationship, and this is how it’s going to be.’

From Los Angeles Times

"It’s crazy to me that we’ve gotten so almost desensitized to it, or that no one’s really calling it out anymore."

From Salon

Skylar King, who’s performing at the show, said she had a week of long conversations with her fellow performers on how to joke about climate change without desensitizing people to the seriousness of the topic.

From Los Angeles Times

For example, some research suggests that repeated exposure to violent language from political leaders can desensitize individuals to violence, leading to its normalization in everyday life.

From Salon

"If we can increase levels of GDF15 before someone becomes pregnant, that might desensitize them, similar to how we try to desensitize people to allergens who have severe allergies," says Fejzo.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• deaden