insensitive

adjective

in·​sen·​si·​tive (ˌ)in-ˈsen(t)-s(ə-)tiv 

1

a

: lacking feeling or tact

so insensitive as to laugh at someone in pain

b

: not responsive or susceptible

insensitive to the demands of the public

2

: not physically or chemically sensitive

insensitively adverb

insensitiveness noun

insensitivity

(ˌ)in-ˌsen(t)-sə-ˈti-və-tē 

noun

Synonyms

• affectless
• callous
• case-hardened
• cold-blooded
• compassionless
• desensitized
• hard
• hard-boiled
• hard-hearted
• heartless
• indurate
• inhuman
• inhumane
• insensate
• ironhearted
• merciless
• obdurate
• pachydermatous
• pitiless
• remorseless
• ruthless
• slash-and-burn
• soulless
• stony
• stoney
• stonyhearted
• take-no-prisoners
• thick-skinned
• uncharitable
• unfeeling
• unmerciful
• unsparing
• unsympathetic

Examples of insensitive in a Sentence

He's just a rude, insensitive jerk.

It was insensitive of her to say that.

Recent Examples on the Web

Two former employees recount a toxic work environment that included racially insensitive jokes, unequal pay and more. —Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024

Harrison also questioned whether the photos would be considered racially insensitive in 2018 when they were taken. —Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 18 Sep. 2024

Parents and educators can also support these traits by modeling respectful communication, reinforcing the value of collaboration, and teaching children that self-confidence doesn’t mean being insensitive to others’ opinions or feelings. —Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 8 Oct. 2024

The gesture seemed to go over well in the room but was widely panned as insensitive to those who were suffering. —Chris Megerian and Colleen Long, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Kids Definition

insensitive

adjective

in·​sen·​si·​tive (ˈ)in-ˈsen(t)-sət-iv 

-ˈsen(t)-stiv

: not sensitive

especially : lacking feeling

insensitively adverb

insensitivity

(ˌ)in-ˌsen(t)-sə-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

noun