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
A week after wildfires began ravaging Southern California, Christina Applegate is speaking out against insensitive remarks about the state.
—
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2025
In an Instagram video uploaded Monday, Jan. 20, the All My Children actor, 55, shared a heartfelt message, asking others to have compassion when weighing in on conversations that could come off as insensitive to the individuals affected by the wildfires.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025
In her confessional Phaedra seems to believe that the pressure from Dr. Jackie to make the Med Gala a huge success stems from the heat Jackie took last year after making some insensitive comments about Black women patients being more dramatic.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 13 Jan. 2025
The remark underscores the importance of careful diplomacy and respect for sovereignty, especially in Latin America, where these insensitive statements strike a raw nerve.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for insensitive 
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2025
In an Instagram video uploaded Monday, Jan. 20, the All My Children actor, 55, shared a heartfelt message, asking others to have compassion when weighing in on conversations that could come off as insensitive to the individuals affected by the wildfires.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 22 Jan. 2025
In her confessional Phaedra seems to believe that the pressure from Dr. Jackie to make the Med Gala a huge success stems from the heat Jackie took last year after making some insensitive comments about Black women patients being more dramatic.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 13 Jan. 2025
The remark underscores the importance of careful diplomacy and respect for sovereignty, especially in Latin America, where these insensitive statements strike a raw nerve.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for insensitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insensitive
Adjective
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Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone are delicious as the two ruthless favorites of the monarch, who try to outmaneuver each other at all costs.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2025
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The ruthless brutality by Iraq and Iran displayed the lengths to which the region’s governments were willing to go to silence the Kurds.—
Sefa Secen & Serhun Al / Made by History,
TIME,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Dedra Simpson isn’t numb to the New Year’s Day tragedy.—
Ira Porter,
The Christian Science Monitor,
6 Feb. 2025
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The Columbia Moisture-control Crew Socks are perfect for keeping your toes warm and dry during outdoor adventures without worrying about numb toes.—
Michelle Polizzi,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The temptation is too much for a merciless monarch to resist and she's briefed on the details of the team's counter-terrorism assignment.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2025
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The merciless flames left gardeners, caregivers, domestic workers, child care providers and others without the tools needed to do their jobs.—
Suzanne Gamboa,
NBC News,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Any advice would be appreciated. – Not the Bestie Dear Bestie: At the risk of sounding callous, this is not your problem.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2025
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The jacket touched off a firestorm of questions about whether Melania Trump, an immigrant herself, was being insensitive, or even callous, to the plight of children separated from their parents while trying to cross the U.S. border.—
Martha Ross,
The Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Jeong was asleep with his three children at the time of the fire.—
Graeme Taskerud,
The Denver Post,
13 Feb. 2025
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In the image shared on Instagram, taken by mom Sofia, the little royal appears to be asleep on her side under a blanket while wearing a white and pink outfit.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In turn, Israel has accused Hamas of not respecting the order in which the hostages were to be released and of orchestrating abusive public displays before large crowds when they have been handed over to the Red Cross.—
James Mackenzie, Emily Rose,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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Sleepwalker follows a grieving mother who is haunted by the tragic loss of her daughter in a car accident that left her abusive husband in a coma.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Human failings amidst an unfeeling snowpocalypse make for some engaging scenes.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
22 Dec. 2024
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The author renders the four-year-old Margaret’s inner life with sensitive complexity, depicting an alert child logic that defies adults’ view of her as slow and unfeeling.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
12 June 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
Thesaurus Entries Near insensitive
Cite this Entry
“Insensitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insensitive. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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