insensitive

American  

[in-sen-si-tiv] / ɪnˈsɛn sɪ tɪv /

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.

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insensitive British  

/ ɪnˈsɛnsɪtɪv /

adjective

1. lacking sensitivity; unfeeling

2. lacking physical sensation

3. not sensitive (to) or affected (by)

   insensitive to radiation

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Other Word Forms

• insensitively adverb
• insensitiveness noun
• insensitivity noun

Etymology

Origin of insensitive

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

Example Sentences

Farage said he liked Parry and had known him "for a very long time", but that his comments were "crass, insensitive, hurtful and wrong".

From BBC

It is naturally insensitive to polarization, highly stable, and allows waveguides to be written in three dimensions with minimal signal loss.

From Science Daily

“It was just a figure of speech—half a brain, you know—and a clumsy, insensitive one.”

From Literature

He could be insecure; she could be insensitive.

From Literature

Over the years, “Here Lies Love” has been criticized as insensitive to the Filipino community in its perceived glamorization of Imelda and minimization of the atrocities committed by the Marcos regime.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crass
• heartless
• uncaring
• unkind
• unresponsive