insensitively
gb/ɪnsənzɪtɪvli/ us/ɪnsənzɪtɪvli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
C1
property
1
in a tactless, hurtful way
in a way that is not kind or careful about other people’s feelings
Usage pattern:
[someone] [speaks/acts/responds] insensitively (about/to [someone/something])
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse the adverb insensitively with the adjective insensitive (e.g., ‘an insensitive comment’).
Synonyms
tactlessly (Emphasizes lack of social skill or discretion.)
|
thoughtlessly (Suggests not thinking about the effects on others.)
|
callously (Stronger; suggests cold lack of compassion.)
|
rudely (Focuses on impolite manner, not necessarily lack of empathy.)
Antonyms
sensitively (Shows awareness and care for others’ feelings.)
|
tactfully (Chooses words carefully to avoid offence.)
|
considerately (Shows kindness and thought for others.)
Collocations
speak insensitively
|act insensitively
|respond insensitively
|behave insensitively
|comment insensitively
|joke insensitively
|insensitively worded
|insensitively handled
|insensitively asked
|insensitively dismissed
Themes
emotions
|communication
|social_issues
Examples
- He spoke insensitively about her accent in front of the whole team.
- The article described the tragedy insensitively and upset many readers.
- She apologized after realizing she had responded insensitively to his news.
Learner examples
- Please don’t talk insensitively about people’s families.
- I answered insensitively and hurt my friend.
adverb
C2
state
2
without physical feeling; numbly
without being able to feel well; like numb
Usage pattern:
[a body part] [moves/feels] insensitively (to [something])
Common mistake:
Learners often prefer ‘numbly’ or ‘without feeling’ in everyday speech; insensitively can sound more formal or literary here.
Synonyms
numbly (More common and direct for loss of sensation.)
|
without feeling (Plain phrasing; less formal.)
Antonyms
sensitively (With normal or heightened sensation or responsiveness.)
Collocations
move insensitively
|feel insensitively
|insensitively numb
|touch insensitively
|rub insensitively
Themes
health
|body
Examples
- His fingers moved insensitively after hours in the cold.
- The anesthetic made her jaw respond insensitively to touch for several hours.
Learner examples
- After the ice, my skin felt insensitively for a while.
adverb
technical
C2
property
3
not responsive; with low sensitivity
in a way that does not notice small changes
Usage pattern:
[something] [measures/responds] insensitively (to [something])
Common mistake:
Don’t use this technical sense when you mean ‘unkind’; context usually makes the difference (e.g., sensors vs people).
Synonyms
weakly (General; does not necessarily imply ‘sensitivity’ in a technical sense.)
|
inaccurately (Related but different; inaccuracy is not the same as low sensitivity.)
Antonyms
sensitively (Responds strongly to small changes or differences.)
Collocations
respond insensitively
|measure insensitively
|insensitively calibrated
|insensitively tuned
|insensitively adjusted
Themes
technology
|science
Examples
- The detector was set too high and responded insensitively to small leaks.
- At that setting, the instrument measures insensitively, missing subtle changes in pressure.
Grammar
Dictionary form
insensitively
IPA
GB/ɪnsənzɪtɪvli/
US/ɪnsənzɪtɪvli/
Syllables & stress
in - sens - it - ively (4 syllables)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: insensitively
- Plural: insensitivelies
Word family
Forms
insensitivelies
noun
Core family
sensitive
adjective B1
sensitively
adverb
sensitivity
noun B2
insensitive
adjective B2
insensitivity
noun
Advanced or less common
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.