sensitive
1 of 2adjective
sen·si·tive ˈsen(t)-sə-tiv 
ˈsen(t)s-təv
1
: sensory sense 2
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 customerenvironmentally sensitive policies
sensitively adverb
sensitiveness noun
sensitive
2 of 2noun
1
: a person having occult or psychical abilities
2
: a sensitive person
Synonyms
Adjective
- acute
- delicate
- fine
- keen
- perceptive
- quick
- sharp
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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
Caitlin Ostroff, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 Many privacy advocates raised alarms in the wake of the Dobbs decision about the sensitive nature of personal data stored on menstrual-tracking applications used by millions of women. Keith Lewis, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Sep. 2022 After July’s unexpectedly strong jobs report—which showed the economy added 528,000 jobs—the Fed will be sensitive to the labor market overheating, said economists at investment bank Credit Suisse. Nate Dicamillo, Quartz, 30 Aug. 2022 The tech-heavy Nasdaq, which is more sensitive to Fed policy, has dropped nearly 7% over the same period. Will Daniel, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2022 Meanwhile, the state is expected to seek a protective order to prevent involved parties from discussing details of the murder case outside the courtroom, citing high pre-trial publicity and the sensitive nature of some evidence. Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 29 Aug. 2022 The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, wasn’t certain of the timeline. John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2022 Hydrangeas are particularly sensitive to lack of moisture. Carol Stocker, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Aug. 2022 The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, wasn't certain of the timeline. CBS News, 27 Aug. 2022 Lance Lambert, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2022 Not only are their high-end real estate markets more rate sensitive, but so are their tech sectors. Lance Lambert, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2022 Not only are their high-end real estate markets more rate sensitive, but so are their tech sectors. Lance Lambert, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2022 As a result, Faucher said, job losses are more likely to be concentrated in areas like housing and other durable goods that are interest-rate sensitive, as opposed to services consumption. Rob Wile, NBC News, 4 May 2022 Just as impressive as Smit-McPhee’s sensitive, moving performance—which earned him a best supporting actor nod at the Oscars this weekend—has been his sartorial flair on the red carpet. Vogue, 25 Mar. 2022 In particular, investors should avoid those bonds that are considered interest-rate sensitive. Brian Menickella, Forbes, 8 Nov. 2021 Rodriguez said the free streaming plan would be an ideal way to reach his target audience, which is young, tech savvy and price sensitive. Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2021 Rodriguez said the free streaming plan would be an ideal way to reach his target audience, which is young, tech savvy and price sensitive. Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2021 See More
Adjective
The world's largest cryptocurrency by market value has been particularly sensitive to the global financial and economic backdrop in recent weeks, rising and falling alongside broader markets. Caitlin Ostroff, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 Many privacy advocates raised alarms in the wake of the Dobbs decision about the sensitive nature of personal data stored on menstrual-tracking applications used by millions of women. Keith Lewis, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Sep. 2022 After July’s unexpectedly strong jobs report—which showed the economy added 528,000 jobs—the Fed will be sensitive to the labor market overheating, said economists at investment bank Credit Suisse. Nate Dicamillo, Quartz, 30 Aug. 2022 The tech-heavy Nasdaq, which is more sensitive to Fed policy, has dropped nearly 7% over the same period. Will Daniel, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2022 Meanwhile, the state is expected to seek a protective order to prevent involved parties from discussing details of the murder case outside the courtroom, citing high pre-trial publicity and the sensitive nature of some evidence. Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 29 Aug. 2022 The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, wasn’t certain of the timeline. John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2022 Hydrangeas are particularly sensitive to lack of moisture. Carol Stocker, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Aug. 2022 The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, wasn't certain of the timeline. CBS News, 27 Aug. 2022 Noun
Not only are their high-end real estate markets more rate sensitive, but so are their tech sectors. Lance Lambert, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2022 Not only are their high-end real estate markets more rate sensitive, but so are their tech sectors. Lance Lambert, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2022 Not only are their high-end real estate markets more rate sensitive, but so are their tech sectors. Lance Lambert, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2022 As a result, Faucher said, job losses are more likely to be concentrated in areas like housing and other durable goods that are interest-rate sensitive, as opposed to services consumption. Rob Wile, NBC News, 4 May 2022 Just as impressive as Smit-McPhee’s sensitive, moving performance—which earned him a best supporting actor nod at the Oscars this weekend—has been his sartorial flair on the red carpet. Vogue, 25 Mar. 2022 In particular, investors should avoid those bonds that are considered interest-rate sensitive. Brian Menickella, Forbes, 8 Nov. 2021 Rodriguez said the free streaming plan would be an ideal way to reach his target audience, which is young, tech savvy and price sensitive. Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2021 Rodriguez said the free streaming plan would be an ideal way to reach his target audience, which is young, tech savvy and price sensitive. Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2021 See More 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
Phrases Containing sensitive
Kids Definition
sensitive
adjective
sen·si·tive ˈsen-sə-tiv
1
: easily or strongly affected, impressed, or hurt
a sensitive child
2
: likely to affect, impress, or hurt
a sensitive topic
3
: understanding of the feelings of others
4
: capable of responding to stimulation
sensitive structures of the ear
5
: readily affected or changed often in an unpleasant or negative way
I have sensitive skin.
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
sensitive 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in keen
able to sense slight impressions or differences a scale that is sensitive to the smallest change in weight Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- keen
- quick
- delicate
- acute
- sharp
- perceptive
- accurate
- precise
- subtle
- fine
- good
- hypersensitive
- sensible
- receptive
- piercing
- supersensitive
- discerning
- clear
- oversensitive
- hair-trigger
- hyperacute
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- insensitive
- bad
- dull
- fading
- dulled
- dead
- numb
- insensible
- deadened
- inaccurate
- dimmed
- imprecise
- imperceptive
2
as in vulnerable
being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm she's very sensitive to the sun and will burn if she's outside for any amount of time Synonyms & Similar Words
- vulnerable
- susceptible
- exposed
- prone
- endangered
- liable
- at risk
- open
- in jeopardy
- likely
- in deep water
- unprotected
- subject (to)
- unsecured
- unguarded
- uncovered
- unscreened
- undefended
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unexposed
- invulnerable
- protected
- unsusceptible
- sheltered
- guarded
- covered
- shielded
- safeguarded
- secured
- screened
- insusceptible
- warded
3
as in fragile
easily injured without careful handling the sensitive skin of a newborn mouse Synonyms & Similar Words
- fragile
- delicate
- weak
- vulnerable
- frail
- tender
- soft
- brittle
- susceptible
- feeble
- friable
- breakable
- tenuous
- slight
- perishable
- puny
- flimsy
- eggshell
- yielding
- crushable
- frangible
- unresistant
- nonhardy
- resistless
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- tough
- strong
- resistant
- robust
- substantial
- hard
- durable
- sound
- solid
- rugged
- hardy
- sturdy
- stiff
- firm
- stout
- flinty
- hardened
- tempered
- strengthened
- nonbreakable
- unbreakable
- infrangible
- toughened
- inured
4
as in sensory
of or relating to physical sensation or the senses sensitive data Synonyms & Similar Words
- sensory
- sensual
- sensorial
- receptive
- sensuous
- sensational
- afferent
- sensate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- extrasensory
- intuitional
5
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling pointing out to the boss that she's wrong is always a sensitive task Synonyms & Similar Words
- difficult
- tough
- problematic
- complicated
- delicate
- touchy
- sticky
- problematical
- tricky
- ticklish
- serious
- problem
- complex
- thorny
- hairy
- hard
- nasty
- painful
- prickly
- tricksy
- knotty
- spiny
- dodgy
- catchy
- involved
- intricate
- troublesome
- stubborn
- vexing
- abstruse
- recondite
- demanding
- worrisome
- abstract
- vexatious
- inconvenient
- stressful
- exacting
- scabrous
- burdensome
- oppressive
- onerous
- importunate
- troublous
- exhausting
- discommoding
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- easy
- straightforward
- uncomplicated
- simple
- undemanding
- effortless
- painless
- unproblematic
- manageable
sensitive
2 of 2noun
as in psychic
Synonyms & Similar Words
- psychic
- medium
- spiritualist
- clairvoyant
- channel
- telepath
- channeler
- spiritist
- mind reader
- mentalist
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of sensitive are exposed, liable, open, prone, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.
unduly sensitive to criticism
The words exposed and sensitive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.
exposed to infection
While the synonyms liable and sensitive are close in meaning, liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.
liable to get lost
The words open and sensitive can be used in similar contexts, but open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.
a claim open to question
The synonyms prone and sensitive are sometimes interchangeable, but prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.
prone to delay
Although the words subject and sensitive have much in common, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.
all reports are subject to review
While in some cases nearly identical to sensitive, susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.
very susceptible to flattery