insensitive

adjective

in·​sen·​si·​tive (ˌ)in-ˈsen(t)-s(ə-)tiv How to pronounce insensitive (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fans quickly reacted to 50 Cent's post, with some calling it insensitive. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 These wishes feel to me very thoughtless and insensitive. R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025 Family patriarch and then-star Phil Robertson (who had founded the Duck Commander brand) made homophobic and racially insensitive comments in a January 2014 GQ magazine interview, earning him a brief suspension by A&E (although the show wasn’t in production at the time). Michael Schneider, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025 At the time, many users thought that Kalil’s video was insensitive and tone-deaf, given the fact that a pro-Palestinian protest had been taking place near the gala. Bruna Horvath, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for insensitive 

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of insensitive was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near insensitive

Cite this Entry

“Insensitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insensitive. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

insensitive

adjective
in·​sen·​si·​tive (ˈ)in-ˈsen(t)-sət-iv How to pronounce insensitive (audio)
-ˈsen(t)-stiv
: not sensitive
especially : lacking feeling
insensitively adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on insensitive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!