Insensitivity: meaning, definitions and examples

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insensitivity

[ˌɪn.sen.sɪˈtɪv.ɪ.ti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

psychology

Lack of sensitivity or consideration towards others' feelings or emotions.

Synonyms

callousness, coldness, indifference, unfeelingness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
insensitivity	Typically used to describe someone who is not aware of or does not care about the feelings and needs of others. It can be used in both personal relationships and professional settings. His insensitivity to her feelings caused a lot of tension in their relationship. The company's policy showed a shocking level of insensitivity to its employees' well-being.
unfeelingness	A more formal term indicating a complete absence of sensitivity or emotional response. It is often used in a more serious or literary context. The unfeelingness of the character's actions shocked the readers. His unfeelingness during the crisis was unexpected and troubling.
callousness	A stronger term, often used to describe a deliberate and cruel disregard for others. It indicates a ruthless or harsh attitude. The politician's callousness in the face of the disaster earned him widespread criticism. Her callousness became evident when she laughed at the unfortunate incident.
indifference	Indicates a lack of interest, care, or concern. It is generally neutral but can have a negative implication depending on the context. His indifference to the team's success was frustrating for everyone. She showed indifference when asked about the current events.
coldness	Describes a lack of warmth or affection and is often used in personal relationships or to describe someone's demeanor during interactions. She could feel the coldness in his voice when he spoke to her. Her coldness towards her colleagues made her unpopular at work.

Examples of usage

His insensitivity towards her struggles made her feel alone and unsupported.
The manager's insensitivity to the team's concerns led to a decline in morale and productivity.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

medicine

The reduced ability to respond to a stimulus.

Synonyms

anaesthesia, loss of sensation, numbness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
insensitivity	Used to describe a lack of concern or awareness for the feelings of others, often carrying a negative connotation. His insensitivity to her feelings hurt her deeply. The manager's insensitivity led to a significant drop in team morale.
numbness	Frequently used in both physical and emotional contexts to describe a lack of physical sensation or a feeling of emotional detachment, often can be temporary. After sitting for a long time, he felt numbness in his legs. The news left her with a sense of numbness, unable to react immediately.
loss of sensation	Typically used in medical or physical contexts to describe the inability to feel touch or other sensations, can be temporary or permanent. She experienced a loss of sensation in her toes after the accident. Diabetes can lead to a gradual loss of sensation in the limbs.
anaesthesia	Specifically used in medical contexts to describe the induced loss of sensation or consciousness, typically to allow surgical procedures without pain. The patient was given anaesthesia before the surgery. Modern anaesthesia has made complicated surgeries much more bearable.

Examples of usage

The patient's insensitivity to pain was a concerning symptom of nerve damage.
Diabetic neuropathy can cause insensitivity in the extremities, leading to injuries going unnoticed.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

chemistry

The resistance of a material to being altered by a chemical or physical process.

Synonyms

imperviousness, resistance, unreactiveness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
insensitivity	Same as earlier, describing a lack of emotional response or regard for others. Note that this appears to be a duplicate.
resistance	Best used to describe the act of opposing or standing against something. Can be used in both physical and metaphorical contexts. The body's resistance to infection improved after he started taking vitamins. There was significant resistance from the community against the new policy.
imperviousness	Applies when someone or something is unaffected by external factors, including emotions or physical forces. His imperviousness to criticism allowed him to stay focused on his goals. The new coating provided imperviousness to water, making the device more durable.
unreactiveness	Refers to a lack of response to stimuli or influence, often in scientific or technical contexts. The chemical's unreactiveness made it ideal for use in experiments requiring stable compounds. Her unreactiveness to the surprise showed how well she had been prepared.

Examples of usage

The insensitivity of the coating to corrosion made it ideal for use in harsh environments.
The insensitivity of the sensor to temperature changes ensured accurate measurements.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Insensitivity in conversations can lead to hurt feelings and damaged relationships, highlighting the importance of empathy.
Some people may be insensitive due to past experiences that make it hard for them to understand others' emotions.
Studies show that individuals with high levels of emotional intelligence tend to be more sensitive to the feelings of others.

Social Dynamics

Insensitivity can manifest in various forms, such as making jokes about serious topics or ignoring someone's struggles.
People often demonstrate insensitivity in group settings, where one person may dominate the conversation and overlook others’ inputs.
In cultures where communal harmony is valued, insensitivity can be seen as particularly disruptive and hurtful.

Literature

In many novels and plays, characters display insensitivity to reflect broader themes of conflict and misunderstanding.
Classic literature often uses insensitive characters to highlight their growth or eventual redemption.
Poets frequently explore the impacts of insensitivity, expressing the emotional consequences it has on relationships.

Cultural Perspectives

Certain cultures prioritize directness, which can come off as insensitivity in more indirect communication cultures.
In some societal contexts, insensitivity can be seen in political discourse, especially when discussing sensitive social issues.
Awareness of cultural norms is essential, as what may seem insensitive in one culture can be viewed differently in another.

Communication

Effective communication is fundamental in preventing insensitivity, as clear expression of feelings encourages understanding.
Non-verbal cues, such as body language and tone, play significant roles in how insensitive messages are received.
Training in active listening can help reduce instances of insensitivity by fostering a greater awareness of others’ emotions.

Translations

Translations of the word "insensitivity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 insensibilidade

🇮🇳 संवेदनहीनता

🇩🇪 Gefühllosigkeit

🇮🇩 ketidakpekaan

🇺🇦 нечутливість

🇵🇱 niewrażliwość

🇯🇵 無神経

🇫🇷 insensibilité

🇪🇸 insensibilidad

🇹🇷 duyarsızlık

🇰🇷 무감각

🇸🇦 عدم الحساسية

🇨🇿 necitelnost

🇸🇰 necitlivosť

🇨🇳 无感

🇸🇮 neobčutljivost

🇮🇸 ónæmi

🇰🇿 сезімсіздік

🇬🇪 უგრძნობლობა

🇦🇿 hissizlik

🇲🇽 insensibilidad

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,083, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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22080 bosoms
22081 demarcated
22082 voracious
22083 insensitivity
22084 congregated
22085 lucerne
22086 osteoarthritis
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