different between insensitive vs senseless

English

Etymology

in- +? sensitive

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /?n?s?ns?t?v/

Adjective

insensitive (comparative more insensitive, superlative most insensitive)

1. Expressing or feeling little or no concern, care, compassion, or consideration for the feelings, emotions, sentiments, or concerns of other people; inconsiderate or incompassionate
2. Not expressing normal physical feeling;
   • 1897, Bram Stoker, Dracula

     It is something like the way dame Nature gathers round a foreign body an envelope of some insensitive tissue which can protect from evil that which it would otherwise harm by contact.

3. Not expressing normal emotional feelings; cold; tactless; undiplomatic
   • 1895, Grant Allen, The British Barbarians

     Somehow, when Bertram Ingledew let it once be felt he did not wish to be questioned on any particular point, even women managed to restrain their curiosity: and he would have been either a very bold or a very insensitive man who would have ventured to continue questioning him any further.

   • 1994, Jann Arden, "Insensitive" (song)

     Oh I really should have known by the time you drove me home, / By the vagueness in your eyes, your casual good-byes, / By the chill in your embrace and the expression on your face, / That told me you might have some advice to give / On how to be insensitive.

Synonyms

• unaffected
• unsensitive

Antonyms

• sensitive

Derived terms

Translations

English

Etymology

From sense +? -less. Compare Saterland Frisian sinloos (“senseless, foolish”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?s?nsl?s/
• Hyphenation: sense?less

Adjective

senseless (comparative more senseless, superlative most senseless)

1. Without feeling or consciousness; deprived of sensation.

   The blow to his head rendered him senseless, he didn't awaken until he was in the ambulance.

   Synonyms: unconscious, insensible

2. Lacking meaning or purpose; without common sense.

   What a senseless waste of money.

   Synonyms: pointless, meaningless

3. Without a discernible meaning or purpose, especially of a violent or evil act.

   The school shooting was a senseless act of violence.

4. Without consideration, awareness or sound judgement

   He took senseless risks, not even aware of the danger he was in.

   Synonyms: unreasonable, unwise, stupid

Related terms

• sense
• senseful
• senselessly
• senselessness

Translations

See also

• (deprived of sensation): ageusia, analgesia, anosmia, blind, deaf, hypoesthesia, numbness, paralysis

References

• senseless in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• senseless in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.