become desensitized

USAGE SUMMARY

"become desensitized" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to the process of becoming less sensitive to something. For example, "The people living near the construction site had become desensitized to the constant noise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"You become desensitized".

The New York Times

They become desensitized.

The New York Times

Workers become desensitized, tacitly complicit and don't always act rationally".

The New York Times - Health

Unless you've become desensitized through repetition, emergency removals are awful.

The New Yorker

American society has become desensitized to the word.

The New Yorker

Most Americans have become desensitized to that fact.

The New York Times

"Fans will become desensitized to the nature of the game," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

If viewers, players or readers are oversaturated with dramatic and graphic scenes, they can become desensitized.

The New York Times - Arts

Education becomes meaningless if you become desensitized to what a community goes through".

The New York Times

Some cannot hear them inside buildings, while others have become desensitized after years of false alarms.

The New York Times

If you live with nine cats, you become desensitized to their scents.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become desensitized" when describing a gradual reduction in emotional or physiological response due to repeated exposure. For example, "Viewers may "become desensitized" to violence on television after prolonged exposure."

Common error

Avoid using "become desensitized" when the intended meaning is simply acceptance or understanding. Desensitization implies a loss of emotional response, not necessarily agreement or tolerance. "The population became more aware of the issue", is more correct that "The population became desensitized to the issue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become desensitized" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of losing sensitivity or emotional responsiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showing it appears frequently in contexts where a reduction in emotional response is observed due to repeated exposure or other factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

24%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become desensitized" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a gradual loss of emotional or sensory responsiveness. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's frequently found in news, media, and scientific contexts. While it can sometimes carry negative connotations, implying a loss of empathy or concern, it can also describe adaptive processes. Remember to differentiate it from simple acceptance or adaptation without the loss of sensitivity. When choosing alternatives like "grow indifferent" or ""lose sensitivity"", consider the specific nuance you wish to convey. The key is to avoid using it when the intention is to convey acceptance without the loss of emotion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desensitize oneself

Highlights active effort of desensitization process.

become callous

Indicates a state of being emotionally hardened or insensitive.

lose sensitivity

Focuses on the loss of the ability to feel or react strongly.

grow indifferent

Indicates a gradual development of apathy or lack of concern.

adapt to

Implies an adjustment to something, resulting in decreased sensitivity.

develop tolerance

Highlights the body's adaptation to a substance or situation.

acclimatize to

Focuses on adapting to new and potentially negative environment.

numb the senses

Emphasizes the blunting of sensory perception.

get used to

Implies adaptation and acceptance over time.

harden oneself

Suggests a deliberate effort to suppress emotions.

FAQs

How can I use "become desensitized" in a sentence?

You can use "become desensitized" to describe a gradual reduction in emotional response due to repeated exposure. For example, "After years of working in the emergency room, the doctor had "become desensitized" to the sight of blood."

What are some synonyms for "become desensitized"?

Alternatives include "grow indifferent", "lose sensitivity", or "become callous". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to "become desensitized"?

Not necessarily. While often associated with negative contexts (like violence), it can also be a positive adaptation in some situations, such as a therapist who must "desensitize oneself" to disturbing content to perform their job effectively.

What's the difference between "become desensitized" and "adapt to"?

"Become desensitized" implies a diminished emotional or physiological response, while "adapt to" simply means adjusting to a new condition or environment. You can adapt to a new city without "becoming desensitized" to its noise, for example.