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

But how insensitive and privileged his response was. —Melanie Curry, refinery29.com, 17 Feb. 2025

His church sign is not only insensitive but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes. —Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025

The storyline of Bill’s death introduced the character of his mother, Bonnie, who became Season 4’s top antagonist with her insensitive comments, including bluntly making Isaac’s secret public without his consent, fighting Maddie on the funeral arrangements and insulting Ty. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2025

Stars have reason to wonder whether the seasonal red carpet peacocking might come off as insensitive to the devastation. —Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Feb. 2025

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