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
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
Harrison also questioned whether the photos would be considered racially insensitive in 2018 when they were taken.
—
Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 18 Sep. 2024
Parents and educators can also support these traits by modeling respectful communication, reinforcing the value of collaboration, and teaching children that self-confidence doesn’t mean being insensitive to others’ opinions or feelings.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 8 Oct. 2024
The gesture seemed to go over well in the room but was widely panned as insensitive to those who were suffering.
—Chris Megerian and Colleen Long, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2024
The Democratic vice presidential candidate also championed the redesign of the Minnesota flag to get rid of a design considered insensitive to Indigenous communities.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for insensitive 
Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 18 Sep. 2024
Parents and educators can also support these traits by modeling respectful communication, reinforcing the value of collaboration, and teaching children that self-confidence doesn’t mean being insensitive to others’ opinions or feelings.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 8 Oct. 2024
The gesture seemed to go over well in the room but was widely panned as insensitive to those who were suffering.
—Chris Megerian and Colleen Long, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2024
The Democratic vice presidential candidate also championed the redesign of the Minnesota flag to get rid of a design considered insensitive to Indigenous communities.
—Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for insensitive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insensitive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near insensitive
Cite this Entry
“Insensitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insensitive. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insensitive
adjective
in·sen·si·tive
(ˈ)in-ˈsen(t)-sət-iv
-ˈsen(t)-stiv
: not sensitive
especially
: lacking feeling
insensitively
adverb
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