Insensitivity

/ˌɪn səˈsɪtɪvɪti/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The quality or state of being insensitive, especially in relation to emotions or feelings.

His insensitivity to her struggles made her feel utterly alone.

Lack of awareness or concern for the feelings of others.

The insensitivity displayed by the management during the crisis angered many employees.

A state in which someone is unable to feel physical sensations.

The patient suffered from insensitivity in her fingers due to nerve damage.

Derived from the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' and 'sensitivity' from Latin 'sensus' meaning 'feeling'.

social insensitivity

A lack of awareness or consideration for social norms or others' feelings.

emotional insensitivity

The inability to understand or respond to emotional cues in others.

sensitivity

The quality of being sensitive; the capacity to perceive or feel things.

pulse

A rhythmic, throbbing sensation indicative of life or activity.

Cold-hearted

He can be so cold-hearted about others' problems, it's pure insensitivity.

Tone-deaf

Her comments were so tone-deaf that everyone noticed her insensitivity.