Oversensitive
adjective
Reacting too much to something that might not seem as important to others.
She is oversensitive to criticism and takes it personally.
Often appears as...
- oversensitive to criticism
- oversensitive about weight
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences.
His skin is oversensitive to sunlight.
Often appears as...
- oversensitive to light
- oversensitive to touch
Usage tips
Neutral
adjective
Reacting too much to something that might not seem as important to others.
She is oversensitive to criticism and takes it personally.
Often appears as...
- oversensitive to criticism
- oversensitive about weight
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences.
His skin is oversensitive to sunlight.
Often appears as...
- oversensitive to light
- oversensitive to touch
Usage tips
Neutral
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Not Always Negative
Being oversensitive can show deep empathy, not just overreaction.
Despite teasing, her oversensitivity towards others' feelings made her a great friend.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Perception
Some cultures may value sensitivity differently; not all consider it a weakness.
In his culture, not being oversensitive is seen as a strength.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Context
The term often relates to personal or emotional topics more than to practical ones.
He was oversensitive about his artwork, as it was close to his heart.
Pro Tip 1/3Not Always Negative
Being oversensitive can show deep empathy, not just overreaction.
Despite teasing, her oversensitivity towards others' feelings made her a great friend.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Perception
Some cultures may value sensitivity differently; not all consider it a weakness.
In his culture, not being oversensitive is seen as a strength.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Context
The term often relates to personal or emotional topics more than to practical ones.
He was oversensitive about his artwork, as it was close to his heart.
Pro Tip 1/3Not Always Negative
Being oversensitive can show deep empathy, not just overreaction.
Despite teasing, her oversensitivity towards others' feelings made her a great friend.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Perception
Some cultures may value sensitivity differently; not all consider it a weakness.
In his culture, not being oversensitive is seen as a strength.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Context
The term often relates to personal or emotional topics more than to practical ones.
He was oversensitive about his artwork, as it was close to his heart.
Never forget "Oversensitive"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Quote examples
Sylvia Plath
American Poet
I must discipline myself. I must be imaginative and create plots, knit motives, probe dialogue - rather than merely trying to record descriptions and sensations. The latter is pointless, without purpose, unless it is later to be synthesized into a story. The latter is also a rather pronounced symptom of an oversensitive and unproductive ego.
Quote examples
Howard Jacobson
British Novelist
I had worked on the markets with my father before going to university, so I possessed an apparent street-smartness, had access to a colourful costermonger vocabulary, and tried passing myself off as a bit of spiv. But my contemporaries saw through me. At heart, they knew I was as bookish and oversensitive as they were.
Quote examples
Stieg Larsson
Swedish Writer
I am not altogether confident of my ability to put my thoughts into words: My texts are usually better after an editor has hacked away at them, and I am used to both editing and being edited. Which is to say that I am not oversensitive in such matters.
Quote examples
Victor Banerjee
Indian Actor
We Bengalis are querulous, arrogant, oversensitive and far, far too emotional. We cry too often and laugh too hard. We wave our passions like bright flags. Calcutta is our city.
Quote examples
Norman Schwarzkopf
American General
With a chemical alarm, you're going to build one that is oversensitive because you would rather the alarm go off and give you a false alarm than to err on the other side.
Quote examples
Noel Fielding
English Comedian
Comedians are ridiculously oversensitive, so, especially with the Internet, you feel everything, like a spider on a web going, 'Oh God, I'm getting stomped'.
Quote examples
Alysia Reiner
American Actress
I'm one of those girls that cries at the drop of a hat. I'm oversensitive, if anything. I'm a mom. I'm very earthy, crunchy granola. I compost.
Quote examples
Evelyn Waugh
English Author
I think to be oversensitive about cliches is like being oversensitive about table manners.
Quote examples
Joe Torre
American Athlete
My wife accuses me - and she's probably right - that I'm sometimes oversensitive.
Quote examples
Brion James
American Actor
I was a different kind of kid, oversensitive and all that.
Quote examples
Sylvia Plath
American Poet
I must discipline myself. I must be imaginative and create plots, knit motives, probe dialogue - rather than merely trying to record descriptions and sensations. The latter is pointless, without purpose, unless it is later to be synthesized into a story. The latter is also a rather pronounced symptom of an oversensitive and unproductive ego.
Quote examples
Howard Jacobson
British Novelist
I had worked on the markets with my father before going to university, so I possessed an apparent street-smartness, had access to a colourful costermonger vocabulary, and tried passing myself off as a bit of spiv. But my contemporaries saw through me. At heart, they knew I was as bookish and oversensitive as they were.
Quote examples
Stieg Larsson
Swedish Writer
I am not altogether confident of my ability to put my thoughts into words: My texts are usually better after an editor has hacked away at them, and I am used to both editing and being edited. Which is to say that I am not oversensitive in such matters.
Quote examples
Victor Banerjee
Indian Actor
We Bengalis are querulous, arrogant, oversensitive and far, far too emotional. We cry too often and laugh too hard. We wave our passions like bright flags. Calcutta is our city.
Quote examples
Norman Schwarzkopf
American General
With a chemical alarm, you're going to build one that is oversensitive because you would rather the alarm go off and give you a false alarm than to err on the other side.
Quote examples
Noel Fielding
English Comedian
Comedians are ridiculously oversensitive, so, especially with the Internet, you feel everything, like a spider on a web going, 'Oh God, I'm getting stomped'.
Quote examples
Alysia Reiner
American Actress
I'm one of those girls that cries at the drop of a hat. I'm oversensitive, if anything. I'm a mom. I'm very earthy, crunchy granola. I compost.
Quote examples
Evelyn Waugh
English Author
I think to be oversensitive about cliches is like being oversensitive about table manners.
Quote examples
Joe Torre
American Athlete
My wife accuses me - and she's probably right - that I'm sometimes oversensitive.
Quote examples
Brion James
American Actor
I was a different kind of kid, oversensitive and all that.
Example 1 of 10
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension