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
For smaller slip-ups, like a friend arriving late to your birthday party or an aunt who accidentally cracked an insensitive comment about your body, both experts recommend getting into the habit of practicing empathy.
—
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 3 Feb. 2025
The next day, the childhood friend who was hosting the party defended Amanda, suggesting that while the slap was unwarranted, the woman had been insensitive by praising her thinness in front of someone plus-sized.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
But how insensitive and privileged his response was.
—Melanie Curry, refinery29.com, 17 Feb. 2025
His church sign is not only insensitive but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insensitive
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 3 Feb. 2025
The next day, the childhood friend who was hosting the party defended Amanda, suggesting that while the slap was unwarranted, the woman had been insensitive by praising her thinness in front of someone plus-sized.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
But how insensitive and privileged his response was.
—Melanie Curry, refinery29.com, 17 Feb. 2025
His church sign is not only insensitive but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insensitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insensitive
Adjective
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But Harrison’s anti-expansionist successor, Grover Cleveland, abhorred the ruthless U.S. meddling in Hawaiian affairs.—
Robert W. Merry,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
7 Mar. 2025
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The film follows Bryan, a Korean American teenager who wants out of his ruthless gang the Goblins, setting the stage for gang retribution against him.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But fear is a concept that floats somewhere beyond your immediate reach, like that numb hand lying naked in the snow.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
19 Feb. 2025
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In a season of record lows, there is almost a numb sensation accompanying Manchester United’s slump to 15th place in the table.—
Laurie Whitwell,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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By enumerating the many merciless changes in our government since January, the Rev. Michael Pleger is not making a political pitch.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2025
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Waltz lends a slimy charisma to the merciless SS colonel, who gets a satisfying comeuppance via carving knife. 4.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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And Musk’s approach so far has been read by many of those most immediately affected as antagonistic, demoralizing and callous.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN,
27 Feb. 2025
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The Gordons have been left deeply screwed up by their deceased father — not just callous and clueless like all the ultra-rich, but unable to maintain healthy relationships with either partners or one another.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In a video posted on March 4, which has already been viewed 1.5 million times, a three-day-old Alex lies fast asleep in his owner's arms, taking a nap in the sun.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
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The victims' roommates have said all the occupants of the rental house near the University of Idaho campus were home and asleep or in their rooms by 4 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2022.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA TODAY,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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During Monday's hearing, Washington, D.C., federal judge Amy Berman Jackson asked a DOJ lawyer if protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive and abusive practices is a policy of the administration.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
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Debt collectors are prohibited by federal laws from engaging in abusive and unfair practices.—
Staff,
Sacramento Bee,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Human failings amidst an unfeeling snowpocalypse make for some engaging scenes.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
22 Dec. 2024
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 17 Mar. 2025.
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