sensitivity

sen·si·tiv·i·ty

noun \ˌsen(t)-sə-ˈti-və-tē\

plural sen·si·tiv·i·ties

Definition of SENSITIVITY

: the quality or state of being sensitive: as a : the capacity of an organism or sense organ to respond to stimulation : irritability b : the quality or state of being hypersensitive c : the degree to which a radio receiving set responds to incoming waves d : the capacity of being easily hurt e : awareness of the needs and emotions of others <a book written with just the right mix of empathy and sensitivity — L. C. Brown>

Examples of SENSITIVITY

1. I was surprised by her extreme sensitivity about even the smallest suggestions that we made.
2. This is a matter of great political sensitivity.
3. He handled the situation with great sensitivity.
4. Her decision shows a lack of sensitivity.
5. I would have appreciated a little more sensitivity from you.

First Known Use of SENSITIVITY

1803

Related to SENSITIVITY

Synonyms: acuteness, delicacy, keenness, perceptiveness, perceptivity, sensitiveness, acuity, sharpness

Related Words: hyperacuity, hypersensitiveness, hypersensitivity, oversensitiveness, oversensitivity, supersensitivity; accuracy, exactitude, exactness, fineness

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Rhymes with SENSITIVITY

absorptivity, adaptivity, additivity, affectivity, aggressivity, coercivity, collectivity, compulsivity, conductivity, connectivity, creativity, destructivity, diffusivity, directivity, effectivity, emissivity, emotivity, exclusivity, exhaustivity, expansivity, expressivity, impassivity, impulsivity, inactivity, inclusivity, infectivity, negativity, objectivity, perceptivity, permittivity, positivity, primitivity, productivity, progressivity, reactivity, receptivity, reflexivity, relativity, resistivity, retentivity, selectivity, self-activity, subjectivity, transitivity