insensitive
gb/ɪnsˈɛnsɪtɪv/ us/ɪnsˈɛnsɪtɪv/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
not considerate of others' feelings
Not thinking about other people’s feelings.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is insensitive (to [someone]'s feelings)
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use insensitive to mean 'not intelligent' or 'not sensible'; in this meaning it is about feelings and manners.
Synonyms
tactless (Emphasizes poor judgment about what is socially acceptable to say or do.)
|
thoughtless (Emphasizes not thinking about the effect on others.)
|
uncaring (Emphasizes lack of concern rather than social clumsiness.)
Antonyms
sensitive (Aware of and responsive to other people’s feelings.)
|
considerate (Actively careful not to upset or inconvenience others.)
Collocations
insensitive remark
|insensitive comment
|insensitive joke
|insensitive question
|insensitive behavior
|insensitive attitude
|insensitive to someone's feelings
|culturally insensitive
|politically insensitive
|insensitive treatment
Themes
emotions
|communication
|social
Examples
- It was insensitive of him to bring up her divorce at dinner.
- The ad was criticized for being insensitive to the experiences of disabled people.
- She apologized for her insensitive remark and changed the subject.
Learner examples
- That comment was insensitive.
- Please don’t be insensitive to her feelings.
adjective
C1
property
2
unable to feel pain or touch
Not able to feel pain or touch.
Usage pattern:
[body part] is insensitive (to [pain/touch])
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse insensitive (cannot feel) with insensitive (rude). Context usually makes the meaning clear.
Synonyms
numb (More common in everyday speech; often temporary.)
|
anaesthetized (More medical; usually caused by anesthesia.)
Antonyms
sensitive (Able to feel pain or touch easily.)
Collocations
insensitive skin
|insensitive area
|insensitive to pain
|insensitive to touch
|temporarily insensitive
|become insensitive
|rendered insensitive
|left insensitive
|insensitive fingers
|insensitive after surgery
Themes
health
|body
Examples
- After the injection, the area was insensitive to pain for several hours.
- His fingertips became insensitive in the cold.
- Nerve damage can leave parts of the foot insensitive to touch.
Learner examples
- My toes are insensitive when it is very cold.
adjective
C1
property
3
not affected by something
Not affected by something.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is insensitive to [something]
Common mistake:
In this meaning, insensitive describes a lack of reaction (often 'insensitive to'); it does not necessarily mean 'rude'.
Synonyms
indifferent (Suggests lack of interest or concern.)
|
unaffected (Focuses on no change in feelings or behavior.)
Antonyms
responsive (Reacting readily to change or a stimulus.)
|
affected (Emotionally influenced by something.)
Collocations
insensitive to criticism
|insensitive to pressure
|insensitive to stress
|insensitive to change
|relatively insensitive
|largely insensitive
|insensitive to public opinion
|insensitive to risk
|insensitive to danger
|insensitive to warnings
Themes
emotions
|behavior
Examples
- He seems completely insensitive to criticism from his coworkers.
- The company was accused of being insensitive to public opinion.
- Some plants are relatively insensitive to changes in temperature.
Learner examples
- She is insensitive to other people’s criticism.
adjective
technical
C1
property
4
not easily affected by variation
Not changing much when conditions change a little.
Usage pattern:
[device/system/model] is insensitive to [factor]
Synonyms
robust (Emphasizes reliable performance despite variation.)
|
stable (Emphasizes not changing over different conditions.)
Antonyms
sensitive (Changes noticeably in response to small variations.)
Collocations
insensitive to noise
|insensitive to temperature
|insensitive to fluctuations
|insensitive to small changes
|insensitive measurement
|insensitive sensor
|insensitive parameter
|insensitive instrument
|insensitive to interference
|insensitive to vibration
Themes
science
|technology
Examples
- The algorithm is designed to be insensitive to small amounts of background noise.
- Choose a component that is insensitive to temperature fluctuations.
- This test is relatively insensitive to minor differences between samples.
Grammar
Dictionary form
insensitive
IPA
GB/ɪnsˈɛnsɪtɪv/
US/ɪnsˈɛnsɪtɪv/
Syllables & stress
in - sens - it - ive (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (sens)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: insensitive
Word family
Core family
Related words
sensitively
adverb
sensitize
verb
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.