SENSITIVE: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for SENSITIVE?

Need another word that means the same as “sensitive”? Find 28 synonyms and 30 related words for “sensitive” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Sensitive” are: raw, sore, tender, sensible, responsive to, quick to respond to, reactive to, sentient of, delicate, fragile, tactful, careful, thoughtful, diplomatic, subtle, kid-glove, thin-skinned, touchy, oversensitive, hypersensitive, defensive, private, personal, intimate, privileged, quiet, medium, spiritualist

Sensitive as a Noun

Definitions of "Sensitive" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “sensitive” as a noun can have the following definitions:

• Someone who serves as an intermediary between the living and the dead.
• A person who is believed to respond to paranormal influences.

Synonyms of "Sensitive" as a noun (2 Words)

medium	The middle quality or state between two extremes; a reasonable balance. These cells are grown in a nutrient rich medium.
spiritualist	Someone who serves as an intermediary between the living and the dead. He became an ardent spiritualist attending seances and insisting on their authenticity.

Sensitive as an Adjective

Definitions of "Sensitive" as an adjective

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “sensitive” as an adjective can have the following definitions:

• Hurting.
• Being susceptible to the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others.
• Of or pertaining to classified information or matters affecting national security.
• Quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences.
• Responsive to physical stimuli.
• Having or displaying a quick and delicate appreciation of others' feelings.
• Able to feel or perceive.
• (of photographic materials) prepared so as to respond rapidly to the action of light.
• Easily damaged, injured, or distressed by slight changes.
• (of a market) unstable and liable to quick changes of price because of outside influences.
• Kept secret or with restrictions on disclosure to avoid endangering security.
• Easily offended or upset.

Synonyms of "Sensitive" as an adjective (26 Words)

careful	Full of cares or anxiety-Luke 10.41. A careful consideration of the facts.
defensive	Intended or appropriate for defending against or deterring aggression or attack. A poor defensive record.
delicate	Developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety. Almost undetectable with even the most delicate instruments.
diplomatic	Using or marked by tact in dealing with sensitive matters or people. He tried his best to be diplomatic.
fragile	Easily destroyed or threatened. You have a fragile grip on reality.
hypersensitive	Easily hurt, worried, or offended. Hypersensitive to pollen.
intimate	Having or fostering a warm or friendly and informal atmosphere. Intimate friends.
kid-glove	Showing skill and sensitivity in dealing with people.
oversensitive	(especially of a person or an instrument) excessively sensitive. Bentley was oversensitive to criticism.
personal	Concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality. He rejected the notion of a personal God.
private	Concerning things deeply private and personal. Private lessons.
privileged	Having been granted a special honour. In the nineteenth century only a privileged few had the vote.
quick to respond to	Accomplished rapidly and without delay.
quiet	(of the sun) characterized by a low level of surface phenomena, such as sunspots. The street below was quiet little traffic braving the snow.
raw	Brutally unfair or harsh. There were a number of errors in the raw data.
reactive to	Reacting to a stimulus.
responsive to	Readily reacting or replying to people or events or stimuli; showing emotion.
sensible	Showing reason or sound judgment. The sensible universe.
sentient of	Consciously perceiving- W.A.White.
sore	(of a part of one’s body) painful or aching. I didn t even know they were sore at us.
subtle	(of a mixture or effect) delicately complex and understated. He tried a more subtle approach.
tactful	Showing skill and sensitivity in dealing with people. A tactful remark eased her embarrassment.
tender	Hurting. Tender loving care.
thin-skinned	Quick to take offense.
thoughtful	Taking heed giving close and thoughtful attention. How very thoughtful of you.
touchy	Difficult to handle; requiring great tact. She s a little touchy about her age.

Usage Examples of "Sensitive" as an adjective

• The committee called for improved protection of wildlife in environmentally sensitive areas.
• I suppose I shouldn't be so sensitive.
• The new method of protein detection was more sensitive than earlier ones.
• Sensitive skin.
• The Japanese were successfully entering many of the most sensitive markets.
• A sensitive voltmeter.
• Sensitive to light.
• I pay tribute to the Minister for his sensitive handling of the bill.
• Sensitive to the local community and its needs.
• He was suspected of passing sensitive information to other countries.
• A mimosa's leaves are sensitive to touch.
• Spiders are sensitive to vibrations on their web.

Associations of "Sensitive" (30 Words)

adaptability	The capacity to be modified for a new use or purpose. This is a good example of the adaptability of listed buildings.
agility	Ability to move quickly and easily. Though he was without formal training as dancer or athlete his physical agility was inexhaustible.
answer	Give the correct answer or solution to. He said he would return to Spain to answer all charges.
answering	Replying. An answering smile.
cognizant	Having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception. Statesmen must be cognizant of the political boundaries within which they work.
considerate	Showing careful thought. Friends considerate enough to leave us alone.
contemplative	A person devoted to the contemplative life. She regarded me with a contemplative eye.
dedicated	Solemnly dedicated to or set apart for a high purpose. A chapel dedicated to the dead of World War II.
delicate	A delicate fabric or garment. A delicate sweet flavour.
flexibility	The quality of bending easily without breaking. I enjoyed the flexibility of the schedule.
impressionable	Easily impressed or influenced. An impressionable age.
labile	Liable to change. The breakage of labile bonds.
meditative	Deeply or seriously thoughtful. Meditative techniques.
pensive	Showing pensive sadness. A pensive mood.
poll	Vote in an election at a polling station. Over half of those polled do not believe the prime minister usually tells the truth.
react	Show a response or a reaction to something. Many babies react to soy based formulas.
reaction	An analogous transformation of atomic nuclei or other particles. The work of these painters was a reaction against Fauvism.
reactive	Reacting to a stimulus. Sodium is a reactive metal.
receptiveness	Willingness or readiness to receive (especially impressions or ideas. He was testing the government s receptiveness to reform.
reflective	Produced by reflection. Reflective clothing.
reply	A statement either spoken or written that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation. Clough scored the first goal and Speed hit a late reply.
respondent	The codefendant especially in a divorce proceeding who is accused of adultery with the corespondent. The respondent defendant.
responsive	(of a section of liturgy) using responses. Children are often the quickest and most responsive members of the audience.
responsiveness	Responsive to stimulation. The responsiveness of the vehicle.
susceptible	(often followed by `of’ or `to’) yielding readily to or capable of. The problem is not susceptible of a simple solution.
thoughtful	Taking heed giving close and thoughtful attention. Her work is thoughtful and provocative.
touched	Being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion. Very touched by the stranger s kindness.
touchy	(of an issue or situation) requiring careful handling; delicate. She s a little touchy about her age.
unstable	Likely to give way; not stable. Everything was unstable following the coup.
vulnerable	Capable of being wounded or hurt. An argument vulnerable to refutation.