Insensitivity: meaning, definitions and examples

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insensitivity

[ ˌɪn.sen.sɪˈtɪv.ɪ.ti ]

^{Context #1}

psychology

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

Synonyms

callousness, coldness, indifference, unfeelingness

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}

medicine

The reduced ability to respond to a stimulus.

Synonyms

anaesthesia, loss of sensation, numbness

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}

chemistry

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

Synonyms

imperviousness, resistance, unreactiveness

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.

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 origin

The word 'insensitivity' originated from the combination of the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' and the word 'sensitivity'. It first appeared in the English language in the mid-19th century. Over time, 'insensitivity' has been used in various fields such as psychology, medicine, and chemistry to describe different aspects of lack of sensitivity or responsiveness. The term continues to be relevant in discussions surrounding empathy, perception, and material properties.