26984 words

sensitive

14 definitions • 26 examples
1
easily upset by the things people say or do, or causing people to be upset, embarrassed, or angry:

Examples:

Her reply showed that she was very sensitive to criticism.
He was very sensitive about his scar and thought everyone was staring at him.
2
A sensitive subject, situation, etc. needs to be dealt with carefully in order to avoid upsetting people:

Examples:

Sex education and birth control are sensitive issues.
The stolen car contained military documents described as very sensitive.
3
understanding what other people need, and being helpful and kind to them:

Examples:

Representatives of the company claim their plan will be sensitive to local needs.
In the movie, he plays a concerned and sensitive father trying to bring up two teenage children on his own.
4

Examples:

Some people's teeth are highly sensitive to cold.
sensitive skin
5
Sensitive equipment is able to record small changes:

Examples:

The patient's responses are recorded on a sensitive piece of equipment which gives extremely accurate readings.
6

Examples:

They have heat-sensitive infrared cameras.
We use a pH-sensitive dye.
7

Examples:

After the exam, the patient's eyes are light-sensitive for two to four hours, which can cause blurred vision.
Some types of debt are particularly risk-sensitive.
8
having or showing awareness and understanding, esp. of other people’s feelings and needs:

Examples:

My experience made me very sensitive to the suffering of others.
9
(of a person) easily upset:

Examples:

Tom is extremely sensitive about his hair.
She’s very sensitive to criticism.
10

Examples:

an environmentally sensitive river
Their products include cleansers and moisturizers for sensitive skin.
11
needing to be treated with care or secrecy:

Examples:

Raising fuel prices can be a sensitive issue.
12
easily influenced or affected by something:

Examples:

This sector is more likely to be more price sensitive than the domestic sector.
economically sensitive
sensitive to sth Investors were increasingly sensitive to interest rates.
13
used to describe a subject, situation, etc. that needs to be dealt with carefully or kept secret:

Examples:

The secret service has acknowledged that there's classified and sensitive information that they are not able to tell the public.
sensitive documents
sensitive email
14
understanding what other people need, and being helpful to them:

Examples:

sensitive to sth A local board could be more sensitive to the education needs of students.

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