insensitive

USAGE SUMMARY

“insensitive” is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a person or statement that is not considerate of other people’s feelings. For example, “His comments were incredibly insensitive and offensive.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They accuse the mainstream republicans of staging a grossly insensitive march which they say denigrates and insults the memories of those murdered in the conflict by the IRA.

The Guardian

Of course, EastEnders had an opportunity with their storyline about cot death to get some good messages across, but they damaged that chance by creating a completely inappropriate and shockingly insensitive storyline.

The Guardian - Opinion

The MP for Bromsgrove, who went to school with one of Sutcliffe's victims, called Mr Clarke's decision "grossly insensitive to the many families in West Yorkshire who are still grieving over the brutal deaths of their loved ones at the hands of this animal".

The Guardian

The infamous wink caught on camera during talk-back radio, when the caller revealed she does phone sex work, was a particularly insensitive look from Abbott given she was also telling him about the hardships she faces from his budget.

The Guardian - Opinion

Consultant Julie Hendry tweeted: "@leicspolice I'd like to report this racist and insensitive comment from supposed media professional @KTHopkins".

The Guardian

On Tuesday Abbott and Bishop began to show their dismay at the "ghastly episode" and what Australian officials see as Indonesia's dismissive attitude to their pleas, and the insensitive and heavy-handed treatment of the condemned men and their families.

The Guardian

But there was recurring evidence that he could be insensitive to democratic demands and insufficiently wary of authoritarian regimes.

The Guardian

This series, despite its deliberately lefty-irking title and potentially insensitive subject matter, is by far and away my favourite so far.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And although it would be an insensitive soul who would deny Justin Leonard his expression of joy as he sank the putt that clinched the match, the charge across the green, not just of US golfers but assorted wives, some of them across the line of Olazábal's putt, was an insult.

The Guardian - Sport

"The callous approach taken to forced redundancies by Fairfax in the group of papers headed by the Wagga Daily Advertiser is insensitive, unprofessional and short-sighted".

The Guardian

"President Jonathan wholly shares the widely expressed view that the signs which were put up without his knowledge or approval are a highly insensitive parody of the #BringBackOurGirls hashtag," his office said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions, consider the context. Saying someone is "insensitive" can be subjective. Provide specific examples of their behavior to support your claim and avoid generalizations.

Common error

Avoid using "insensitive" as a blanket term. Instead, specify what the person was insensitive to. For example, instead of "He's insensitive", try "He's insensitive to the needs of others."

Linguistic Context

The adjective "insensitive" primarily functions to describe someone or something that lacks consideration for the feelings of others. Ludwig AI validates its role in characterizing actions or statements as displaying a lack of empathy or understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "insensitive" is a versatile adjective used to describe a lack of consideration or awareness towards the feelings of others. Ludwig AI affirms its proper usage in English, highlighting its presence across various contexts, including news, media, and formal communication. While grammatically sound, it's essential to provide context when using "insensitive" to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity in conveying your message. Alternatives like "unfeeling", "tactless", and "callous" offer nuanced options for expressing similar sentiments. The word is very common and used in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insensitive to

Emphasizes a lack of awareness or understanding of a specific issue or feeling.

lacking sensitivity

Directly states the absence of sensitivity, offering a more formal and neutral alternative.

unfeeling

Focuses more on a lack of emotion or empathy, suggesting a deeper emotional disconnect.

callous

Indicates a hardened or indifferent attitude, suggesting a deliberate disregard for others' suffering.

tactless

Highlights a lack of skill or grace in dealing with sensitive issues, emphasizing clumsiness rather than malice.

thoughtless

Implies a lack of consideration or awareness, suggesting a failure to think about the consequences of one's actions.

crass

Emphasizes vulgarity or lack of refinement, suggesting a disregard for social norms and sensibilities.

indiscreet

Highlights a lack of caution or restraint in revealing sensitive information, focusing on breaches of privacy or confidentiality.

obtuse

Suggests a lack of understanding or awareness, implying a difficulty in grasping subtle or complex issues.

boorish

Focuses on rudeness and lack of social graces, suggesting a disregard for etiquette and good manners.

FAQs

How can I use the word "insensitive" in a sentence?

You can use "insensitive" to describe someone lacking feelings for others, as in, "His remarks were considered "insensitive" and hurtful." It can also describe actions or topics, such as, "Discussing personal finances in public is "insensitive"."

What are some synonyms for "insensitive"?

Alternatives to "insensitive" include "unfeeling", "tactless", and "callous". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "insensitive" or "not sensitive"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Insensitive" is a more direct and concise way of saying "not sensitive". The choice often depends on the desired tone and context.

What makes an action "insensitive"?

An action is considered "insensitive" when it disregards or disrespects the feelings, needs, or values of others. It often involves a lack of awareness or consideration for the potential impact of one's words or deeds.