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
Potentially, this was insensitive toward families of suicide victims, but none of them were offended.
—
Lynette Rice, Deadline, 11 May 2025
While some Met Gala attendees came under fire for what were perceived to be historically insensitive fashion choices and others were targeted for wearing lackluster outfits, rap star Doechii was met with mean girl accusations.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 May 2025
Ava Daniels is a young comedy writer who is unable to find work due to an insensitive tweet and her reputation for being self-centered and arrogant.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
For example, while one team member might feel valued by direct and candid communication, another may interpret the same approach as brusque or insensitive, instead needing more consideration or attention.
—Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for insensitive
Lynette Rice, Deadline, 11 May 2025
While some Met Gala attendees came under fire for what were perceived to be historically insensitive fashion choices and others were targeted for wearing lackluster outfits, rap star Doechii was met with mean girl accusations.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 May 2025
Ava Daniels is a young comedy writer who is unable to find work due to an insensitive tweet and her reputation for being self-centered and arrogant.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
For example, while one team member might feel valued by direct and candid communication, another may interpret the same approach as brusque or insensitive, instead needing more consideration or attention.
—Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for insensitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insensitive
Adjective
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Related Stories Said to be the first book in a series, Little Hands watches as a young British woman with a mysterious past inadvertently joins a ruthless gang of female thieves who rob the ultra-wealthy along the French Riviera.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
9 June 2025
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New threats emerge, including a ruthless new villain (Bill Skarsgård) and a blind assassin from Wick’s past, played by Donnie Yen in a standout performance.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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The passenger blacked out, and woke up confused, with his hands numb.—
Tyler Foggatt,
New Yorker,
24 May 2025
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Dawn Hughes says substances can 'numb' abuse after Cassie 'freak offs' testimony Victims of abuse using substances while facing violence is one common coping mechanism, Hughes told the court on May 21.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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The film is cold-bloodedly whimsical, asking the audience to root for a merciless man who endeavors, ever so incrementally, to understand some deeper human truths.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2025
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Unless stopped, Trump and the Republicans who follow him may go down as the most merciless and morally bankrupt leaders this country has ever produced.—
Tom Debley,
Mercury News,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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The Manchester-by-the-Sea health board has thumbed its nose at voters with callous indifference.—
Peter Brennan,
Boston Herald,
26 May 2025
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Rick Scott and Ashley Moody, your votes in the coming days will decide whether Florida chooses compassion and common sense — or callous disregard.—
Joseph MacBeth,
Sun Sentinel,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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Infant Lili — who seemed to be asleep! — kept cozy in a striped hat as Meghan held her daughter in her arms.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
4 June 2025
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In addition to the Washington, D.C., and Boulder attacks, a 38-year-old man was arrested in April and charged with firebombing the Pennsylvania governor's residence in Harrisburg, while Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, and his family were asleep inside, officials said.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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But like any powerful tool, healing language can also be misused, especially by those with manipulative or abusive tendencies.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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The slashing of the benefits of medical care, food and other assistance to low-income families in this bill goes so far beyond even the most exaggerated claim of fraud, waste and abuse as to be cynically and sadistically abusive.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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Then, the men had to walk around as these unfeeling, aggressive, hyper-masculine creatures.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
28 May 2025
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Tabo turns, in his mother’s eyes, into a cold and unfeeling stone.—
Robert Rubsam,
The Atlantic,
24 Mar. 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 15 Jun. 2025.
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