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

“A friend of mine was at our house and made an insensitive joke about epilepsy, and pretended to have a seizure,” Leo explained.

From Los Angeles Times

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

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

Trump drew criticism when he visited the island to survey the damage and tossed paper towels into a crowd, a gesture many viewed as insensitive.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crass
• heartless
• uncaring
• unkind
• unresponsive