hypersensitive
adjective
hy·per·sen·si·tive
ˌhī-pər-ˈsen(t)-s(ə-)tiv 
1
: excessively or abnormally sensitive
2
: abnormally susceptible physiologically to a specific agent (such as a drug or antigen)
hypersensitiveness
noun
Examples of hypersensitive in a Sentence
She's hypersensitive about her past.
People who are hypersensitive to the chemical may have violent reactions even to small amounts.
Recent Examples on the Web
An allergy occurs when the body recognizes safe substances as dangerous, causing a hypersensitive immune reaction.
—
Daniel More, Verywell Health, 17 Jan. 2025
This new immunity might also have had a downside in the form of allergies that come with a hypersensitive immune system.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025
Untold generations of cowering have written fear into our genes, rendering us hypersensitive to threats of harm.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
In contrast, vulnerable narcissistic leaders are insecure, hypersensitive to feedback, and prone to emotional volatility (e.g., Richard Nixon, Christina Kirchner, Vladimir Putin, Howard Hughes, and Steve Jobs).
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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Daniel More, Verywell Health, 17 Jan. 2025
This new immunity might also have had a downside in the form of allergies that come with a hypersensitive immune system.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025
Untold generations of cowering have written fear into our genes, rendering us hypersensitive to threats of harm.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
In contrast, vulnerable narcissistic leaders are insecure, hypersensitive to feedback, and prone to emotional volatility (e.g., Richard Nixon, Christina Kirchner, Vladimir Putin, Howard Hughes, and Steve Jobs).
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hypersensitive
Dictionary Entries Near hypersensitive
Cite this Entry
“Hypersensitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypersensitive. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hypersensitive
adjective
hy·per·sen·si·tive
ˌhī-pər-ˈsen(t)-sət-iv
-ˈsen(t)-stiv
: very sensitive especially to an abnormal degree
hypersensitiveness
noun
Medical Definition
hypersensitive
adjective
hy·per·sen·si·tive
ˌhī-pər-ˈsen(t)-sət-iv, -ˈsen(t)-stiv
1
: excessively or abnormally sensitive
2
: abnormally susceptible physiologically to a specific agent (as a drug or antigen)
hypersensitiveness
noun
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