insensate

adjective

in·​sen·​sate (ˌ)in-ˈsen-ˌsāt How to pronounce insensate (audio)
-sət
1
: lacking sense or understanding
also : foolish
2
: lacking animate awareness or sensation
3
: lacking humane feeling : brutal
insensately adverb

Examples of insensate in a Sentence

the belief that God is immanent in all things, even insensate objects an insensate boss who refuses to allow time off for funerals
Recent Examples on the Web But states have used midazolam alone — and at much higher doses — in executions since 2013, claiming the drug will render people insensate to pain before the administration of other lethal injection drugs. Lauren Gill, ProPublica, 29 Apr. 2023 Jerome Powell and his Federal Reserve colleagues are hardly insensate to the risk that their inflation-fighting actions might bring Mr. Trump back to power. Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, 14 June 2022 Realigning themselves with sophomoric virtues, the stars sell their souls in accommodation to the insensate new era. Armond White, National Review, 28 Oct. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insensate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin insensatus, from Latin in- + Late Latin sensatus having sense, from Latin sensus sense

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of insensate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near insensate

Cite this Entry

“Insensate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insensate. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

insensate

adjective
in·​sen·​sate (ˈ)in-ˈsen-ˌsāt How to pronounce insensate (audio)
1
: lacking awareness or sensation : inanimate
2
: lacking sense or understanding
3
: lacking humane feelings : brutal
insensately adverb

Medical Definition

insensate

adjective
in·​sen·​sate (ˈ)in-ˈsen-ˌsāt, -sət How to pronounce insensate (audio)
: devoid of sensation or feeling
ulcers developed in the insensate foot
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