1
as in ruthless
having or showing a lack of sympathy or tender feelings
an insensitive remark about his deceased wife that was incredibly rude
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in numb
lacking in sensation or feeling
fingers rendered insensitive by the cold
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of insensitive
One of the key creative minds behind Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is owning up to a pair of casting choices widely decried as racially insensitive.
—
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
In more recent years, comedy has come under fire for being insensitive and inciting scandals.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Update: An earlier version of this post contained language that could be deemed insensitive.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
On Española Island, some individuals do more than just peck at wounds to drink blood—they have been seen persistently pecking at the insensitive tail tips of large marine iguanas, removing centimeters of actual tissue in the process.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insensitive
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
In more recent years, comedy has come under fire for being insensitive and inciting scandals.
—Ollie Barder, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Update: An earlier version of this post contained language that could be deemed insensitive.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
On Española Island, some individuals do more than just peck at wounds to drink blood—they have been seen persistently pecking at the insensitive tail tips of large marine iguanas, removing centimeters of actual tissue in the process.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insensitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insensitive
Adjective
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Russo, who has avoided serious injury and is set to return to play for Arsenal this month, is an out-and-out centre-forward, a grafter who uses her strength to take care of the ball and stitch play, but is also becoming a more ruthless penalty-box striker.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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The way to move up in your organization might require being ruthless.—
Roberta Matuson,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This includes drugs like lidocaine, which is used to numb pain.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2025
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Regarding driving dynamics, the LT is tuned for non-enthusiasts—the steering is numb and lifeless, and the cornering grip is average.—
Michael Harley,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Lottie proposes that Natalie be stripped of her title and that the merciless and vicious Shauna should lead them instead.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
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The animal is fully present, merciless and hungry.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But accusations of this decision being callous don’t resonate with Mason.—
Marco della Cava,
USA TODAY,
11 Mar. 2025
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How callous can Rick really be?—
Ayan Artan,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Most residents in the beachfront luxury condominium at Surfside were asleep in their beds when their 12-story residential building shuddered and then collapsed, pinning sleeping residents between the heavy concrete slabs of each floor.—
Bruce Strom,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Apr. 2025
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Screaming for help Most people in the Plum Bay neighborhood were asleep before dawn on Sunday, Feb. 16.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The group of former Northwestern football players have reportedly agreed to settle their lawsuits against the school, which alleged hazing and abusive behavior.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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In a 1993 interview with the Los Angeles Daily News, North said his aunt Marie Hopper — who served as his guardian when his mother was working — was physically and emotionally abusive.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Tabo turns, in his mother’s eyes, into a cold and unfeeling stone.—
Robert Rubsam,
The Atlantic,
24 Mar. 2025
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So much modern football is mechanical and unfeeling; Joao Felix is loose and breezy.—
Jack Lang,
The Athletic,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Sandoval has received some pay bumps, including a temporary $10,000-a-year bonus for Hawaii special education teachers designed to alleviate shortages in that and other hard-to-staff areas.—
Alia Wong,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
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Whether those numbers are an overstatement, or possibly an understatement, is hard to say.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
13 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Insensitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insensitive. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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