Definition

To make someone or something less sensitive or responsive, often by repeated exposure to a stimulus.

Example

The therapy aims to desensitize patients to their fears over time.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Have you noticed how some movies can really desensitize us to violence?

Yeah, it's kind of scary how quickly we get used to it.

I wonder if there’s a way to not let it desensitize us anymore.

Maybe we should watch more uplifting films to balance it out.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Desensitize → It is formed from "de-" (meaning down or away) and "sensitize" (from Latin "sensibilis", meaning able to feel). The word describes the process of making someone or something less sensitive or responsive to stimuli, effectively taking away the ability to feel.

Memory Tip

Think of 'taking away' ('de-') the ability to 'feel' ('sensitize') — that's why desensitize means to make less sensitive.

Visually Confused Words