insensitive
insensitive
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "insensitive" is /ɪnˈsɛnsətɪv/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
in: /ɪn/ - A short "i" sound as in "bit", followed by the nasal consonant "n".
sen: /ˈsɛn/ - A stressed syllable. Begins with the sibilant "s", followed by a short "e" as in "bed", and ends with the nasal consonant "n".
si: /sə/ - A schwa sound (ə) which is a very short, unstressed vowel, followed by the "s" sound.
tive: /tɪv/ - Begins with the consonant "t", followed by a short "i" as in "bit", and ends with the consonant "v".
Word Form Variations
insensitive (adjective): This is the base form. It describes a lack of sensitivity.
insensitively (adverb): This modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, describing how something is done in an insensitive manner. Example: "He spoke insensitively about her loss."
insensitivity (noun): This is the noun form, referring to the quality of being insensitive. Example: "His insensitivity was hurtful."
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective (insensitive):
Definition: Lacking awareness, understanding, or empathy towards the feelings or needs of others; showing a lack of consideration or tact.
Synonyms: unfeeling, uncaring, inconsiderate, thoughtless, tactless, heartless, callous, indifferent, apathetic, obtuse
Antonyms: sensitive, compassionate, empathetic, understanding, considerate, thoughtful, kind, caring, perceptive, aware
Adverb (insensitively):
Definition: In a manner that shows a lack of awareness, understanding, or empathy towards the feelings or needs of others; without consideration or tact.
Synonyms: uncaringly, inconsiderately, thoughtlessly, tactlessly, heartlessly, callously, indifferently, apathetically, obtusely
Antonyms: sensitively, compassionately, empathetically, understandingly, considerately, thoughtfully, kindly, caringly
Noun (insensitivity):
Definition: The quality of being insensitive; a lack of awareness, understanding, or empathy towards the feelings or needs of others; lack of consideration or tact.
Synonyms: unfeelingness, uncaringness, inconsiderateness, thoughtlessness, tactlessness, heartlessness, callousness, indifference, apathy, obtuseness
Antonyms: sensitivity, compassion, empathy, understanding, consideration, thoughtfulness, kindness, care
Examples of Use
Adjective (insensitive):
Book: "His insensitive remarks about her weight made her cry." (Fictional example, demonstrating common usage)
Newspaper: "Critics called the politician's comments about poverty insensitive and out of touch." (News article, illustrating public reaction to perceived insensitivity)
Online Publication: "The article was criticized for its insensitive portrayal of mental illness." (Online review or commentary, showing how the term is used in media criticism)
Entertainment: In the TV show "The Office," Michael Scott's insensitive behavior is often a source of humor (and sometimes cringe). (TV show example, demonstrating how insensitivity can be used in character development)
Public Discourse: "It's insensitive to joke about such a serious topic." (General conversation, highlighting the word's use in everyday discussions about social issues)
Adverb (insensitively):
Book: "He spoke insensitively about the victims of the tragedy." (Fictional example, showing how the adverb modifies the verb "spoke")
Online Publication: "The company handled the layoff insensitively, failing to provide adequate support to affected employees." (Online news or blog post, demonstrating how the adverb is used in reports of corporate actions)
Public Discourse: "She laughed insensitively during the funeral." (General conversation, indicating the adverb's use in describing inappropriate behavior)
Noun (insensitivity):
Newspaper: "The public outcry was fueled by the company's insensitivity to the environmental impact of its operations." (News report, showing how the noun is used in discussing public reactions to corporate actions)
Academic Text: "A study explored the correlation between insensitivity to pain and certain neurological conditions." (Academic paper, demonstrating the use of the noun in a scientific context)
Public Discourse: "His insensitivity to the plight of the homeless was shocking." (General conversation, illustrating the noun's use in discussions about social issues)
10 Famous Quotes Using Insensitive
"Insensitive words can wound more deeply than swords." — Anonymous
"Insensitive people may not realize their impact, but that doesn't erase the pain." — Brené Brown
"Being honest doesn’t mean being insensitive." — Emma Thompson
"Insensitive humor isn't bold—it's lazy." — Jon Stewart
"Insensitive leaders create toxic environments." — Simon Sinek
"Insensitive comments are remembered longer than compliments." — Anonymous
"It takes strength to be kind in a world that rewards the insensitive." — Oprah Winfrey
"Insensitive behavior reflects a lack of emotional intelligence." — Daniel Goleman
"Insensitive acts are easy; empathy takes effort." — Maya Angelou
"Insensitive people don’t understand the cost of silence." — Anonymous
Etymology
Let's break down the etymology of "insensitive" in a simple way:
"In-": This is a prefix meaning "not" or "the opposite of." It's like saying "un-" in words like "unhappy."
"Sensitive": This is the root word. It comes from the Latin word "sentire," which means "to feel." "Sensitive" describes someone or something that is easily affected by feelings or sensations, both physical and emotional.
So, when you put them together, "insensitive" literally means "not feeling" or "not easily affected by feelings." It describes someone who lacks awareness or consideration for the feelings of others.
While pinning down the very first recorded use of "insensitive" is difficult (it likely evolved gradually), its components are ancient. "In-" as a prefix and "sensitive" from the Latin "sentire" have been around for centuries. The combined word likely emerged as English evolved, probably in the 16th or 17th century as English vocabulary expanded. Its meaning has remained consistent: a lack of feeling or awareness towards others.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Insensitive
Phrases (using "insensitive" or its forms):
"To be insensitive to someone's feelings": This is a common and direct phrase, clearly stating the lack of consideration for another's emotions.
"An insensitive remark": This phrase refers to a specific instance of insensitive communication.
"To behave insensitively": This describes the manner of acting without consideration for others.
"A display of insensitivity": This refers to an instance where someone's lack of feeling is evident.
Phrases capturing the concept of insensitivity (using synonyms or related ideas):
"To be thick-skinned": This implies a lack of sensitivity to criticism or emotional pain, although it can sometimes be used positively to mean resilient.
"To have a blind spot": This suggests an inability to see or understand a particular issue, often related to others' feelings.
"To be out of touch": This refers to a lack of awareness of current situations or people's feelings, often leading to insensitive behavior.
"To rub someone the wrong way": While not always intentional, this phrase describes actions that irritate or upset someone, often due to a lack of sensitivity.
Original phrases (attempting to capture the spirit of insensitivity idiomatically):
"To dance on someone's heart": This metaphorical phrase suggests a particularly cruel or insensitive act that disregards another's emotional vulnerability.
"To speak in lead boots": This suggests a lack of grace or tact in communication, resulting in insensitive remarks.
"To wear a heart of stone": This metaphor describes someone emotionally unfeeling and insensitive.
Why are there few idioms with "insensitive"?
Idioms often develop from concrete images or actions that become metaphorical. "Insensitive," while describing a behavior or quality, is already somewhat abstract. It's a judgment about someone's actions or lack thereof, rather than a concrete thing or action that can easily be turned into a metaphor. Therefore, it's less likely to appear in colorful, figurative language that characterizes idioms. We generally use it more literally.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of insensitive from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
