insensibility

C2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ɪnˌsen.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/ UK /ɪnˌsen.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/ See IPA manual

Freq #216646

Meanings

1

noun
lack of physical sensation or awareness; unconsciousness

The anesthetic produced temporary insensibility to pain during the operation.
2

noun
lack of emotional sensitivity or concern

His insensibility to their grief made the apology sound hollow.
3

noun
inability to perceive or appreciate something

Her insensibility to irony caused her to take the satire literally.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · lack of physical sensation... numbness unconsciousness unawareness

2 noun · lack of emotional... callousness indifferenceunfeelingness

3 noun · inability to perceive or... imperceptivenessobtuseness

Opposites

consciousness sensitivity awareness compassion

Word family

Related forms insensible sensibility sensation anesthesia

Etymology

Borrowed through Old French insensibilité from Late Latin insensibilitas, based on insensibilis 'imperceptible or without feeling.' The Latin form combines in- 'not' with sensibilis 'perceptible by the senses.' English developed both physical and emotional meanings.

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# insensibility

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ɪnˌsen.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/
**IPA (UK):** /ɪnˌsen.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/
**Frequency rank:** 216646

## Meanings
1. lack of physical sensation or awareness; unconsciousness
2. lack of emotional sensitivity or concern
3. inability to perceive or appreciate something

## Examples
- The anesthetic produced temporary insensibility to pain during the operation.
- His insensibility to their grief made the apology sound hollow.
- Her insensibility to irony caused her to take the satire literally.

## Synonyms
- numbness
- unconsciousness
- callousness
- indifference
- unawareness
- obtuseness

## Antonyms
- consciousness
- sensitivity
- awareness
- compassion

## Related Forms
- insensible
- sensibility
- sensation
- anesthesia

## Etymology
Borrowed through Old French insensibilité from Late Latin insensibilitas, based on insensibilis 'imperceptible or without feeling.' The Latin form combines in- 'not' with sensibilis 'perceptible by the senses.' English developed both physical and emotional meanings.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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