desensitized

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desensitize

Desensitized means being less sensitive or less shocked by things that were once disturbing or upsetting.

When we say someone's been desensitized to something, it usually means they've seen or experienced it so many times that it no longer affects them deeply. This can be good and bad – on the one hand, you might become less upset by negative news or unpleasant situations in your life, which could make living easier. On the other hand, being desensitized to problems might also mean you're not motivated to change things for the better. It's like getting used to a loud noise; at first it bothers you, but after a while you barely notice it.

How common is "desensitized"?

Word desensitized is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions

verb

  • To cause to become less sensitive or insensitive.

    Example: Working in an Operating Room desensitized me to the sight of blood.

Real examples of "desensitized" in context

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