sensitive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sensitive' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is easily affected by other people or their circumstances. For example, "John is a very sensitive person and needs to be treated with care and respect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is important that sport understands and is sensitive to the potential impacts of the menstrual cycle for female athletes.

The Guardian - Sport

When leaving a message on this page, please be sensitive to the fact that you are responding to a real person in the grip of a real-life dilemma, who wrote to Private Lives asking for help, and may well view your comments here.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Though all of us are all sensitive to heat, and quick to react when it climbs above our comfort levels, our knowledge of how it might affect our health doesn't really go beyond sunstrokes and fainting spells.

The Guardian

Related: Great Barrier Reef in dire straits without extra $500m and ban on dumping Labor's new plan removes millions of dollars in taxpayer support for dredging at Abbot Point, while requiring that seabed to be dumped onshore next to the port instead of in sensitive wetlands or in reef waters.

The Guardian

"I also welcome the fact that Queen's has shown the corporate courage to tackle sensitive and controversial and potentially divisive issues".

The Guardian

"Look, this is an area where people are inevitably extremely sensitive.

The Guardian

"It's essential that we can rehearse these sensitive scenarios privately," said Munro in his email.

The Guardian

Public opinion in her home country is sensitive to the disclosures that elsewhere in Europe, the multinationals are getting away with daylight robbery.

The Guardian

But some within the sector point out in response that although journalists can play a critical role in getting important stories to the public, they themselves are not always the easiest or most sensitive people to work with.

The Guardian

The prime minister is sensitive to lese-majesty; Warsi doesn't do deference.

The Guardian - Opinion

Your child should start using them two weeks before the pollen season starts as they prevent the nose being made over sensitive to pollen, although few people remember to do this.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing delicate subjects, use "sensitive" to indicate awareness and consideration of others' feelings. For example, "Be sensitive to cultural differences when traveling abroad."

Common error

While "sensitive" is useful, avoid overuse. Opt for more specific terms like "compassionate", "perceptive", or "responsive" depending on the context to provide a clearer and more nuanced description.

Linguistic Context

The word "sensitive" primarily functions as an adjective, describing a noun's quality of being easily affected, perceptive, or requiring careful handling. Ludwig provides examples showing its diverse usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "sensitive" is a versatile adjective used to describe something or someone easily affected by external stimuli or requiring careful handling. According to Ludwig AI, the word is grammatically correct and widely used, as evidenced by numerous examples from reputable sources like The Guardian. While highly frequent in News & Media, remember to choose more precise synonyms like "compassionate", "perceptive", or "responsive" for enhanced clarity and nuance in specific contexts. Being mindful of the potential for overuse and selecting the most fitting alternative can improve your writing's overall quality and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easily affected

Focuses on the susceptibility to influence or impact.

highly perceptive

Emphasizes the ability to notice and understand subtle details.

easily offended

Highlights the characteristic of being readily upset by words or actions.

emotionally responsive

Underscores the capacity to react strongly to emotional stimuli.

finely tuned

Suggests a high degree of precision and responsiveness.

vulnerable

Implies a state of being easily harmed or affected negatively.

susceptible

Highlights the tendency to be affected by something.

compassionate

Focuses on the feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.

responsive

Emphasizes the ability to react quickly and positively.

intuitive

Highlights the ability to understand something immediately, without conscious reasoning.

FAQs

How to use "sensitive" in a sentence?

You can use "sensitive" to describe someone who is easily affected by emotions or to describe a topic that requires careful handling. For example, "He is a very "sensitive person"" or "Abortion is a "sensitive issue"".

What can I say instead of "sensitive"?

You can use alternatives like "compassionate", "perceptive", "responsive", or "vulnerable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sensitive" or "sensible"?

"Sensitive" refers to being easily affected by emotions or stimuli, while "sensible" means practical or reasonable. For example, "He is very "sensitive to criticism"", versus "It was a "sensible decision"".

What's the difference between "sensitive" and "sentimental"?

"Sensitive" implies a general awareness and responsiveness to emotions, while "sentimental" suggests a tendency to dwell on emotions, often with a focus on the past. A "sensitive person" is simply attuned to feelings, whereas a "sentimental person" is prone to nostalgia and emotional displays.