How to Use sensitize in a Sentence

sensitize

verb
  • Was the last mouse being sensitized to pain by seeing others in pain?
    — Frans B. M. De Waal, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2015
  • We’ve all been stretched, softened, disillusioned, and re-sensitized over the last few years.
    — Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 30 Dec. 2025
  • The pond virus killed off most of the bacteria and re-sensitized the survivors to antibiotics.
    — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2018
  • Experts think more exposure to pollen equals more chances to be sensitized, which equals more allergies.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
  • Either way, sensitizing yourself to what sparks joy—and what doesn’t—can be a valuable guidepost for you this month.
    — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2024
  • So the anger could be either created by pot-stirring or perceived by the person sensitized to it.
    — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2023
  • Does the alpha-gal in a tick’s saliva piggyback on some virus or antigen that sensitizes people to it?
    — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • The three players have grown de-sensitized to the drama that’s unfolded during their time with the program.
    — Rolando Rosa, ajc, 16 Nov. 2017
  • There is no question that parenthood sensitizes adults to all of the risks surrounding their children.
    — The Oregonian/oregonlive, al, 1 May 2019
  • These qualities are hard to select for or to instill, but their lack can be quickly discerned by those who have been sensitized by need.
    — John Crowley, Harper's magazine, 10 Apr. 2019
  • Research has shown that the use of products with larger amounts of witch hazel over time can have drying and sensitizing effects on the skin.
    — Nia Decaille, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2020
  • Rediker suggests Lay's diminutive stature helped sensitize him to the plight of the less fortunate.
    — Joe Smydo, Philly.com, 5 Nov. 2017
  • Previous stings can also play a role, as the immune system may become sensitized to wasp venom.
    — Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Typically, my face feels sensitized after using foaming cleansers, but not with this one.
    — Megan Decker, refinery29.com, 14 Feb. 2023
  • An ambrotype is a photograph created on a glass plate that has been coated and sensitized in a chemical bath.
    — Pete Brook, WIRED, 23 May 2014
  • Genetics makes some people much more likely to become sensitized than others.
    — Susie Neilson, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 July 2025
  • By now too many of us are wary of what’s being sold — sensitized by two years of deepfakes and soft slop, chastened by two decades of social media and rage-farming.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The researchers found that applying a much smaller voltage across the molybdenum disulfide could sensitize it to light.
    — John Timmer, Ars Technica, 18 Nov. 2022
  • Efforts to treat type 2 diabetes often focus on re-sensitizing the body to insulin.
    — Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, 6 Sep. 2017
  • Growing up in a violent neighborhood or household, or even being bullied in school can sensitize us to trauma.
    — Jessica Dulong, CNN, 27 June 2022
  • Perhaps their immune systems were sensitized to alpha-gal by a local fungus, parasite, or pollen.
    — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • Our work revolves around sensitizing students and the new generation and arming them with knowledge.
    — Dina Kraft, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Apr. 2018
  • In the future, these animals might be the source of the blood thinner heparin or even organs for transplant in those sensitized to the alpha-gal sugar.
    — Peter G. Lurie and Beth Ellikidis, STAT, 17 Apr. 2023
  • Cocoa butter adds weight and cushion to the formula, locking in moisture and further soothing dry or sensitized skin.
    — Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 1 Jan. 2026
  • The authors speculate that nuts that hamsters consume may sensitize infants through physical contact or house dust.
    — Janelle Chavez, CNN, 29 Mar. 2023
  • The intuitive Moon blends well with unique Uranus, sensitizing our hearts and bringing new perspectives.
    — Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2023
  • This was an effort to sensitize Muslim migrants to the dark history of the country that today offers them asylum.
    — Alexandra Rojkov, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2017
  • Only use this on tough spots and sparingly so — vitamin C is highly acidic and can sensitize your skin if overused at this concentration.
    — Ashley Weatherford, The Cut, 13 June 2018
  • There are indications that the citizens of many countries are becoming sensitized to this problem.
    — Ronald Inglehart, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2015
  • Those proteins are able to sensitize the immune system and trigger an allergic reaction in someone with a food allergy.
    — Jennifer Couzin-Frankel, Science | AAAS, 30 July 2019

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sensitize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Last Updated: