sensibility
noun
sen·si·bil·i·ty ˌsen(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
plural sensibilities
1
: ability to receive sensations : sensitiveness
tactile sensibility
2
: peculiar susceptibility to a pleasurable or painful impression (as from praise or a slight) —often used in plural
3
: awareness of and responsiveness toward something (such as emotion in another)
4
: refined or excessive sensitiveness in emotion and taste with especial responsiveness to the pathetic
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The meanings of sensibility run the gamut from mere sensation to excessive sentimentality. In between is a capacity for delicate appreciation, a sense often pluralized. In Jane Austen's books, sensibility is mostly an admirable quality she attributes to, or finds lacking in, her characters: "He had ... a sensibility to what was amiable and lovely" (of Mr. Elliot in Persuasion). In Sense and Sensibility, however, Austen starts out by ascribing to Marianne sensibleness, on the one hand, but an "excess of sensibility" on the other: "Her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation ... she was everything but prudent."
Synonyms
- feeling
- heartstrings
- passions
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The writer is remembered most for his sensibility. She's a woman of poetic sensibility.
Recent Examples on the Web Happiness is also synonymous with tranquility, and Brandon Maxwell was all too ready to channel that sensibility with his latest collection. 
Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Sep. 2022 That sensibility shapes the dishes at the three restaurants Mr. Menashe presides over today with his wife, pastry chef Genevieve Gergis, and co-owner Leah Bunch. Kitty Greenwald, WSJ, 17 Aug. 2022 That table-flipping sensibility offers serious renegade appeal. Darren Franich, EW.com, 11 Aug. 2022 That sensibility will foster stronger customer relationships. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2022 In a city often tied to the traditional architecture of the past, Johnson brought an adventurous modernist sensibility to his commissions, with sleek lines and fanciful geometry. John Gallagher, Detroit Free Press, 9 Nov. 2021 The biggest companies certainly have the sensibility (and the pocketbook) to sustain accessibility groups all their own. Steven Aquino, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 But Sri Lanka also has a very strong democratic sensibility. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 22 July 2022 Some of them weren't, but had a sensibility and understanding of this genre that talks about domestic life, one that touches all of us. Joshua Rothkopf, EW.com, 30 June 2022 See More
Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Sep. 2022 That sensibility shapes the dishes at the three restaurants Mr. Menashe presides over today with his wife, pastry chef Genevieve Gergis, and co-owner Leah Bunch. Kitty Greenwald, WSJ, 17 Aug. 2022 That table-flipping sensibility offers serious renegade appeal. Darren Franich, EW.com, 11 Aug. 2022 That sensibility will foster stronger customer relationships. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2022 In a city often tied to the traditional architecture of the past, Johnson brought an adventurous modernist sensibility to his commissions, with sleek lines and fanciful geometry. John Gallagher, Detroit Free Press, 9 Nov. 2021 The biggest companies certainly have the sensibility (and the pocketbook) to sustain accessibility groups all their own. Steven Aquino, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 But Sri Lanka also has a very strong democratic sensibility. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 22 July 2022 Some of them weren't, but had a sensibility and understanding of this genre that talks about domestic life, one that touches all of us. Joshua Rothkopf, EW.com, 30 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
sensibility
noun
sen·si·bil·i·ty ˌsen-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē
plural sensibilities
1
: the ability to receive or feel sensations
2
: the ability to feel and understand emotions
Medical Definition
sensibility
noun
sen·si·bil·i·ty ˌsen(t)-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural sensibilities
1
: ability to receive sensations
sensibility to pain
2
: awareness of and responsiveness toward something (as emotion in another)
sensibility
noun
1
as in aesthetic
a particular attitude, mindset, or preference The artist was known for her minimalist sensibility. The sentiments expressed in the essay, while typical of their time, are apt to offend modern sensibilities. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- aesthetic
- attitude
- style
- approach
- technique
- mind
- method
- perspective
- opinion
- belief
- manner
- viewpoint
- standpoint
- angle
- tone
- view
- outlook
- expression
- conviction
- slant
- mind-set
- persuasion
- methodology
- fashion
- tactics
- judgment
- notion
- sentiment
- humor
- system
- strategy
- emotion
- how
- spirit
- feeling
- judgement
- mode
- heart
- form
- way
- tack
- personality
- recipe
- strain
- vein
- inclination
- nature
- identity
- individuality
- passion
- temperament
- frame
- habit
- character
- selfhood
- temper
- disposition
- makeup
- self-identity
- grain
- cheer
- setup
- mettle
2
as in sensitivity
the capacity to notice and respond to something She has a painter's innate sensibility for color and composition. Synonyms & Similar Words
- sensitivity
- sensitiveness
- ear
- sense
- appreciation
- eye
- perceptivity
- perception
- awareness
- insight
- acuity
- acumen
- understanding
- sagacity
- knowledge
- perceptiveness
- consciousness
- wisdom
- astuteness
- discernment
- acuteness
- perspicacity
- keenness
- power
- mindfulness
- sapience
- responsiveness
- penetration
- attention
- observation
- sagaciousness
- percipience
- sharpness
- intellect
- cognizance
- clear-sightedness
- susceptibility
- mentality
- intelligence
- comprehension
- observance
- canniness
- brilliance
- profundity
- smartness
- brightness
- wit
- apprehension
- heed
- advertence
- cleverness
- profoundness
- sageness
- advertency
- judgment
- gray matter
- braininess
- notice
- grasp
- prudence
- rationality
- logic
- judiciousness
- sanity
- depth
- discrimination
- foresightedness
- deepness
- susceptiveness
- foresight
- reason
- judgement
- note
- brain(s)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- obtuseness
- dullness
- dulness
- density
- disregard
- unawareness
- superficiality
- obliviousness
- neglect
- shallowness
- idiocy
- imbecility
- silliness
- stupidity
- irrationality
- folly
- foolishness
- mindlessness
- unreasonableness
- unsoundness
- illogic
- simplemindedness
- witlessness
- simpleness
- brainlessness