Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- adjective Not physically sensitive; numb.
- adjective Lacking in sensitivity to the feelings or circumstances of others; unfeeling.
- adjective Indifferent or inattentive.
- adjective Not readily responsive to external influence or stimulation.
from The Century Dictionary.
- Not sensitive; having little or no sensibility.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- adjective Not sensitive; wanting sensation, or wanting acute sensibility.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective Not having normal physical
feeling - adjective Not having normal emotional feelings,
cold ,tactless ,undiplomatic
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adjective not responsive to physical stimuli
- adjective deficient in human sensibility; not mentally or morally sensitive
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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The reason I call it insensitive is because I believe that characteristics like intelligence are amorphous and that these characteristics go into making up our sense of self-hood.
The Volokh Conspiracy » Judging a Person Based on a Single Forwarded Personal E-Mail 2010
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The slur has been painted over, but Cain said he finds this use of the word "insensitive."
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Maturo backtracked on Wednesday, issuing a public statement apologizing to the town of East Haven and to the Latino community for what he called an "insensitive and off-color comment."
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Malloy called his comments "repugnant" and said they represent "either a horrible lack of judgment or worse" - Mr. Maturo apologized, at first grudgingly and then with a long statement offering his "sincerest apologies" for what he called an "insensitive and off-collar comment."
NYT > Home Page By PETER APPLEBOME 2012
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Mignini reserved some of his toughest words for Knox's character, which he described as "insensitive and lacking affection" in the aftermath of the murder, and called her a liar.
The Seattle Times 2011
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SYRACUSE, New York Reuters - Syracuse University head basketball coach Jim Boeheim, who two weeks ago lashed out at those accusing a former assistant of sexually molesting ball boys, apologized on Friday for what he called insensitive remarks and said he "misspoke very badly."
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It seems that some people fear being labeled "insensitive" is as bad as being considered a racist and corporations try to prove that they are as sensitive as the most sensitive person out there.
Rumor: Joker Scene From The Dark Knight Getting Cut?! « FirstShowing.net 2008
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Anyone who compares red light cameras to rape is plain insensitive, rude, a liar and dangerous.
Think Progress » Tucker Carlson’s new website kicks off with jokes about rape, being gay. 2010
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The reason why libertarian arguments are wrong and appear to be racially insensitive is not because the “big government” approach could always solve the civil rights problem, but rather because it DID largely solve it at the time it was implemented and there is no proof that libertarianism could have EVER done so.
The Volokh Conspiracy » Libertarianism, Federalism, and Racism 2010
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And Isaiah said later that it was -- I think he used the word insensitive or cruel even, but it was not intended to be cruel.
Taking on the World: Joseph and Stewart Alsop -- Guardians of the American Century 1996
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