Library / English Dictionary

DESENSITIZE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make insensitive

Example:

His military training desensitized him

Synonyms:

desensitise; desensitize

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "desensitize" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody PP

Antonym:

sensitize (make sensitive or aware)

Derivation:

desensitization (the process of reducing sensitivity)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Cause not to be sensitive

Example:

The photographic plate was desensitized

Synonyms:

desensitise; desensitize

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Hypernyms (to "desensitize" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "desensitize"):

benumb; blunt; dull; numb (make numb or insensitive)

bedaze; daze; stun (overcome as with astonishment or disbelief)

besot; stupefy (make dull or stupid or muddle with drunkenness or infatuation)

deaf; deafen (make or render deaf)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Antonym:

sensitize (cause to sense; make sensitive)

Derivation:

desensitization (the process of reducing sensitivity)

Credits