delicate sensibilities

USAGE SUMMARY

"delicate sensibilities" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is easily offended or hurt, for example, "Jack has very delicate sensibilities, so be sure not to say anything that might offend him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those with more delicate sensibilities had different objections.

The New Yorker

Not everyone apparently shares the Senator's delicate sensibilities.

The New York Times

Who knew England football fans had such delicate sensibilities?

The Guardian - Sport

Who could have imagined she possessed such delicate sensibilities?

The Guardian - Film

That ended when the geometric certainties of the Art Deco age clashed with its delicate sensibilities.

The New York Times - Arts

The novel's unvarnished talk about sex and other bodily functions disturbed some delicate sensibilities.

The New York Times - Books

Petiot was also asked to rename the drink to appease delicate sensibilities.

The New York Times - Style

This can take a heavy toll, especially on those of us cursed with more delicate sensibilities.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He may be too brutal, vulgar, uncompromising or challenging for your delicate sensibilities.

The Guardian

Ballet companies usually like to tuck contemporary work safely between some tutus, carefully sheltering their audiences' delicate sensibilities.

The New York Times - Arts

Once again there is disarmingly dry humor in the contrast between Reacher's brawn and his delicate sensibilities.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "delicate sensibilities", consider the tone and context of your writing. It can be used sincerely or ironically, depending on the desired effect.

Common error

Avoid using "delicate sensibilities" in very informal or casual settings, as it may sound out of place. Opt for simpler alternatives like "easily offended" or "sensitive" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delicate sensibilities" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or a subject complement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and used to describe individuals easily offended or with refined tastes. Examples in Ludwig show its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Lifestyle

15%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "delicate sensibilities" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes individuals who are easily offended or possess refined tastes. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is acceptable for use in written English. It appears most commonly in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Arts contexts. While versatile, writers should consider the setting when using the phrase and avoid placing it in too informal of a setting to ensure that the tone is appropriate. When writing, alternatives such as "acute sensitivity" or "refined tastes" may be more suited depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easily hurt feelings

Directly refers to the tendency to have one's feelings hurt easily.

high degree of sensitivity

Emphasizes the level or intensity of sensitivity.

acute sensitivity

Emphasizes a heightened level of feeling or awareness.

thin-skinned nature

Conveys the idea of being easily hurt emotionally.

easily offended nature

Focuses on the susceptibility to being offended.

sensitivity to nuances

Highlights the ability to perceive subtle distinctions.

refined tastes

Highlights the aspect of having highly developed or sophisticated preferences.

refined perception

Highlights the subtle nature of someone's observations.

susceptibility to criticism

Specifically addresses vulnerability to critical feedback.

vulnerability to emotional distress

Focuses on the ease with which someone can be emotionally upset.

FAQs

How can I use "delicate sensibilities" in a sentence?

You can use "delicate sensibilities" to describe someone who is easily offended or has refined tastes, for example, "The comedian's jokes were not suitable for those with "delicate sensibilities"."

What is another way to say "delicate sensibilities"?

Alternatives to "delicate sensibilities" include "acute sensitivity", "easily offended nature", or "refined tastes", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "delicate sensibilities" in formal writing?

Yes, "delicate sensibilities" is appropriate for formal writing, as it is a well-established and grammatically correct phrase. However, consider your audience and the overall tone of your piece.

What's the difference between "delicate sensibilities" and "sensitive nature"?

"Delicate sensibilities" often implies a higher degree of refinement or a greater likelihood of being easily offended, while "sensitive nature" is a broader term that simply indicates a tendency to be emotionally responsive or easily affected.