sen·si·tive
ˈsen(t)-sə-tiv 
ˈsen(t)s-təv
1
2
a
: receptive to sense impressions
b
: capable of being stimulated or excited by external agents (such as light, gravity, or contact)
sensitive cells
3
: highly responsive or susceptible: such as
a(1)
: easily hurt or damaged
especially
: easily hurt emotionally
(2)
: delicately aware of the attitudes and feelings of others
b
: excessively or abnormally susceptible : hypersensitive
sensitive to egg protein
c
: readily fluctuating in price or demand
sensitive commodities
d
: capable of indicating minute differences : delicate
sensitive scales
e
: readily affected or changed by various agents (such as light or mechanical shock)
a photographic emulsion sensitive to red light
f
: highly radiosensitive
4
a
: concerned with highly classified government information or involving discretionary authority over important policy matters
sensitive documents
b
: calling for tact, care, or caution in treatment : touchy
a sensitive issue like race relations
5
: having or showing concern for a specified matter
—usually used in combination
a price-sensitive customer
environmentally sensitive policies
sensitively
adverb
sensitiveness
noun
1
: a person having occult or psychical abilities
2
: a sensitive person
Synonyms
Examples of sensitive in a Sentence
Adjective
He acts like a tough guy, but he's really very sensitive to criticism.
I found him to be a sensitive and caring person.
Recent Examples on the Web
Maya Polton, Parents, 12 Apr. 2024
When portraying such deeply sensitive issues, Green and Abela chose to simply concentrate on the small things.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
Don’t click on links or download attachments from unknown senders and be wary of anyone asking for personal or sensitive information.
—Advertorial, Orange County Register, 10 Apr. 2024
Buster Keaton plays a gruff steamboat captain who is astonished when his son returns from college as a slim, mild-mannered sensitive type with a beret, a mustache, and a ukulele.
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2024
The spat over the small parcel in Miami-Dade’s real estate portfolio touches on the sensitive topic of how changes to public space sometimes impose on private property owners, and what right residents have to complain about a recreational use next door.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
The letter also warned that turning over the recordings could have a chilling effect on future attempts by the Justice Department to interview other high-profile people or officials for sensitive investigations.
—Devlin Barrett, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
Government rules adapt Meanwhile, last December, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) updated its 16-year-old data breach notification rules to ensure that telecommunications providers adequately safeguard sensitive customer information.
—Chloe Veltman, NPR, 30 Mar. 2024
American Paper Optics, Warby Parker, among those offering glasses
Compared to regular sunglasses, proper eclipse glasses are 100,000 times darker to block nearly all visible, infrared and ultraviolet light and protect our sensitive retinas when looking upward near the sun.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024
Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 17 Jan. 2024
The fair is not the place for introverts, neat freaks, sensitives, or anyone who cannot tolerate unrelenting, bone-deep heat.
—Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2023
Exercising in general makes the body more insulin sensitive, which helps manage blood sugar, according to Steven K. Malin, PhD, FACSM, a co-author of the study and an associate professor of kinesiology and health at Rutgers University.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 26 July 2023
Once allergies and sensitives have been checked, the serum or cream can be safely applied up to twice per day – generally in the morning and night after cleansing and toning.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2023
Carnival rides will have minimal lights and sound to accommodate guests with sensory sensitives and challenges.
—Kennedy Sessions, Chron, 23 Feb. 2023
The helmets are 3-D printed, the gloves are touch-screen sensitive, and the each of the two custom suits is a single piece.
—Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, 14 July 2021
Observers say this intense desire to avoid error may come from an ingrained cultural tendency toward mockery in social interactions, even in classroom settings, which makes the French sensitive to ridicule.
—Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 Jan. 2023
This is the kind of sandwich that inspires the sensitive to feel guilty and the angry to shame others over their choices.
—Tim Carman, Washington Post, 30 Jan. 2023
Adjective
Other government facilities and sensitive areas may also be off-limits.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 12 Apr. 2024
When portraying such deeply sensitive issues, Green and Abela chose to simply concentrate on the small things.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
Don’t click on links or download attachments from unknown senders and be wary of anyone asking for personal or sensitive information.
—Advertorial, Orange County Register, 10 Apr. 2024
Buster Keaton plays a gruff steamboat captain who is astonished when his son returns from college as a slim, mild-mannered sensitive type with a beret, a mustache, and a ukulele.
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2024
The spat over the small parcel in Miami-Dade’s real estate portfolio touches on the sensitive topic of how changes to public space sometimes impose on private property owners, and what right residents have to complain about a recreational use next door.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
The letter also warned that turning over the recordings could have a chilling effect on future attempts by the Justice Department to interview other high-profile people or officials for sensitive investigations.
—Devlin Barrett, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
Government rules adapt Meanwhile, last December, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) updated its 16-year-old data breach notification rules to ensure that telecommunications providers adequately safeguard sensitive customer information.
—Chloe Veltman, NPR, 30 Mar. 2024
American Paper Optics, Warby Parker, among those offering glasses
Compared to regular sunglasses, proper eclipse glasses are 100,000 times darker to block nearly all visible, infrared and ultraviolet light and protect our sensitive retinas when looking upward near the sun.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024
Noun
What This Means For You Anyone can use a hair oil, but choosing one and determining how often to use it depends on your hair type, personal sensitives, and hair care needs.
—Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 17 Jan. 2024
The fair is not the place for introverts, neat freaks, sensitives, or anyone who cannot tolerate unrelenting, bone-deep heat.
—Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2023
Exercising in general makes the body more insulin sensitive, which helps manage blood sugar, according to Steven K. Malin, PhD, FACSM, a co-author of the study and an associate professor of kinesiology and health at Rutgers University.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 26 July 2023
Once allergies and sensitives have been checked, the serum or cream can be safely applied up to twice per day – generally in the morning and night after cleansing and toning.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2023
Carnival rides will have minimal lights and sound to accommodate guests with sensory sensitives and challenges.
—Kennedy Sessions, Chron, 23 Feb. 2023
The helmets are 3-D printed, the gloves are touch-screen sensitive, and the each of the two custom suits is a single piece.
—Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, 14 July 2021
Observers say this intense desire to avoid error may come from an ingrained cultural tendency toward mockery in social interactions, even in classroom settings, which makes the French sensitive to ridicule.
—Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 Jan. 2023
This is the kind of sandwich that inspires the sensitive to feel guilty and the angry to shame others over their choices.
—Tim Carman, Washington Post, 30 Jan. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sensitive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin sensitivus, probably alteration of sensativus, from sensatus sensate
First Known Use
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a
Noun
1807, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Time Traveler
The first known use of sensitive was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing sensitive
Dictionary Entries Near sensitive
Cite this Entry
“Sensitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sensitive. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
sensitive
adjective
sen·si·tive
ˈsen(t)-sət-iv,
ˈsen(t)-stiv
1
: capable of responding to stimulation
2
a
: easily or strongly affected or hurt
a sensitive child
b
: capable of showing very small differences : delicate
sensitive scales
c
: readily affected or changed by the action of a certain thing
plants sensitive to light
sensitively
adverb
sensitiveness
noun
Medical Definition
sensitive
adjective
sen·si·tive
ˈsen(t)-sət-iv, ˈsen(t)-stiv
1
: sensory sense 2
sensitive nerves
2
a
: receptive to sense impressions
b
: capable of being stimulated or excited by external agents (as light, gravity, or contact)
a photographic emulsion sensitive to red light
sensitive protoplasm
3
: highly responsive or susceptible: as
a
: easily hurt or damaged
sensitive skin
especially
: easily hurt emotionally
b
: excessively or abnormally susceptible : hypersensitive
sensitive to egg protein
c
: capable of indicating minute differences
sensitive scales
d
: readily affected or changed by various agents (as light or mechanical shock)
a sensitive colloid
sensitiveness
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on sensitive
Nglish: Translation of sensitive for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of sensitive for Arabic Speakers
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