oversensitive

[ oh-ver-sen-si-tiv ]

adjective

1. excessively or unduly sensitive.

oversensitive

/ ˌəʊvəˈsɛnsɪtɪv /

adjective

1. excessively responsive to or aware of feelings, reactions, etc

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of oversensitive¹

First recorded in 1840–50; over- + sensitive

Example Sentences

“The result today is, for some people, that our immune systems are oversensitive, and sometimes they turn on themselves.”

From Seattle Times

Judges and juries ruling on anti-obscenity complaints brought by Comstock often were flying blind, for the material in question could not be mentioned or displayed in court during those oversensitive times.

From Los Angeles Times

Hence, narcissists are typically chronically stubborn, entitled and envious, and/or oversensitive to criticism.

From Salon

Automated software looks for moving blips of light, checks them against possible false positives like subatomic particles from space zapping the detector, oversensitive pixels, and the like.

From Scientific American

Students are often accused of being oversensitive, but Professor Wax’s colleagues have shared their own uncomfortable moments with her in public forums.

From New York Times

Related Words

• conscious
• delicate
• emotional
• hypersensitive
• keen
• nervous
• perceptive
• precise
• receptive
• responsive
• susceptible
• tense
• touchy
• tricky
• unstable