adjective
insensate
in-SEN-sayt/ˌɪnˈsɛnˌseɪt/
Lacking the capacity to feel what is present.
The insensate woman steps around the injured man without offering help.
Etymology
Negating “gifted with sense” gives the image of being without sensation. English extended this lack of physical feeling to a lack of moral feeling, making insensate also mean unfeeling or without compassion.
In context
Without a word of warning, before he even knew I was in the room, I sprang on him, clutching him, shaking him in a blind insensate fury till my strength suddenly failed me
More examples
- The damaged nerve leaves a small patch of skin insensate.
- He lies insensate while the anesthetic wears off.
- Even repeated pleas leave the official insensate to their suffering.
Forms
insensate
Similar words
- numb
- Usually describes a localized or temporary loss of sensation.
- unconscious
- Means not awake or aware, rather than simply without sensation.
- unfeeling
- Emphasizes a lack of compassion rather than physical sensation.