Desensitize and Sensitize

Opposite meaning words

Desensitize verb - Make insensitive.

Usage example: His military training desensitized him

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Sensitize is an antonym for desensitize.

Sensitize verb - Make sensitive or aware.

Usage example: He was not sensitized to her emotional needs

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Desensitize is an antonym for sensitize.

Cite this Source

Sensitize and Desensitize. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 29, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/desensitize/sensitize

Desensitize & Sensitize. N.p., 2016. Web. 29 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/desensitize/sensitize>.

Sensitize or Desensitize. 2016. Accessed July 29, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/desensitize/sensitize.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "desensitize" and "sensitize" have occurred on timeline