sensitive 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsen(t)-sə-tiv How to pronounce sensitive (audio)
Definition of sensitivenext
1
as in keen
able to sense slight impressions or differences a scale that is sensitive to the smallest change in weight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vulnerable
being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm she's very sensitive to the sun and will burn if she's outside for any amount of time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fragile
easily injured without careful handling the sensitive skin of a newborn mouse

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in sensory
of or relating to physical sensation or the senses sensitive data

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling pointing out to the boss that she's wrong is always a sensitive task

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sensitive

2 of 2

noun

as in psychic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sensitive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sensitive are exposed, liable, open, prone, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.

unduly sensitive to criticism

When is exposed a more appropriate choice than sensitive?

The words exposed and sensitive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.

exposed to infection

When is it sensible to use liable instead of sensitive?

While the synonyms liable and sensitive are close in meaning, liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.

liable to get lost

When could open be used to replace sensitive?

The words open and sensitive can be used in similar contexts, but open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.

a claim open to question

Where would prone be a reasonable alternative to sensitive?

The synonyms prone and sensitive are sometimes interchangeable, but prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.

prone to delay

When would subject be a good substitute for sensitive?

Although the words subject and sensitive have much in common, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.

all reports are subject to review

In what contexts can susceptible take the place of sensitive?

While in some cases nearly identical to sensitive, susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.

very susceptible to flattery

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sensitive
Adjective
These metrics gauge how sensitive an option’s price is to various factors. —Michael Khouw, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025 Questioning Tulsi Gabbard about her appointment as the director of National Intelligence, Republican senators begged her to agree with them that Edward Snowden was a traitor for leaking sensitive documents and then fleeing to Moscow. —David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
What This Means For You Anyone can use a hair oil, but choosing one and determining how often to use it depends on your hair type, personal sensitives, and hair care needs. —Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 17 Jan. 2024 The fair is not the place for introverts, neat freaks, sensitives, or anyone who cannot tolerate unrelenting, bone-deep heat. —Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2023 See All Example Sentences for sensitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sensitive
  1. keen
  2. vulnerable
  3. fragile
  4. sensory
  5. difficult
  6. psychic
  7. quick
  8. susceptible
Adjective
  • At the time, Jase said his father was keen to return to work.
    — Erin Clack, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • She’s been especially keen on animal print, from her leopard tote bag to her zebra Fendi backpack.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of keen
Adjective
  • Any monetary system, including our current fiat arrangement, is vulnerable to manipulation.
    — Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • For the lead plaintiffs in the investors' suit, the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System, the scheme allegedly robbed retirees of gains used to sustain their quality of life at a particularly vulnerable time.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of vulnerable
Adjective
  • Israel resumed its ground operation in Gaza on March 19 after negotiations to extend a fragile ceasefire involving an exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners failed.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025
  • For those with fragile hair, Philip Kingsley’s fortifying shampoo aims to give the appearance of thicker, stronger strands.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of fragile
Adjective
  • Founder Dina Kimmel learned about the power of this sensory equipment when her son Gabriel responded positively to consistent play on this specialized OT equipment and jumped from non-verbal at 3.5 years old to singing his ABCs!
    — Robert Reiss, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Harry’s sensory difficulties turned ordinary experiences into overwhelming challenges.
    — Erin McGregor, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of sensory
Adjective
  • Generations of design successors have insisted that pie charts are difficult to read and even amount to optical informatic illusions, but we are still stuck with them.
    — Mara Mills, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
  • There are very big match-ups being played week in and week out in what is one of the most difficult leagues to play in on the planet, this means the big contenders will drop points more often than in some other leagues.
    — Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of difficult
Noun
  • But for me, what matters is the emotional value of those psychics working in reality and, of course, in the film.
    — David Opie, IndieWire, 26 Mar. 2025
  • In their gloomy forecasting, some of the psychics mention a twin flame, someone whom AP connected with in a past life.
    — Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of psychic
Adjective
  • App Store updates Those looking for apps in the App Store can see summaries from user reviews to get a quick look at what others are saying, Apple said.
    — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
  • In warmer climates, for example, the liquid expands and contracts more rapidly, which can lead to a quicker extraction of flavors from the barrel.
    — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of quick
Adjective
  • In recent years, the number of satellite launches has increased, resulting in thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit that are susceptible to cyberattacks.
    — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Tomato, pepper, eggplant and tomatillo are all susceptible to the same suite of soil pathogens.
    — Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of susceptible

Browse Nearby Words

sensing
sensitive
sensitively
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Cite this Entry

“Sensitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sensitive. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

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