oversensitive
/'ouvə'sensitiv/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Unduly sensitive or thin-skinned: Reacting too strongly or being too easily upset by things that are said or done, often more than is reasonable or appropriate.
Usage
The word "oversensitive" describes a person or their reactions. It is used to indicate that someone's sensitivity is excessive or disproportionate to the situation. It often carries a slightly critical or negative connotation, suggesting the person should be less easily offended or hurt.
Examples
- Adjective:
- He is so oversensitive that he gets offended by the smallest jokes.
- Her oversensitive nature makes it difficult to give her constructive feedback.
- The sensor was oversensitive and triggered the alarm with the slightest movement.
Advanced Usage
- "to be oversensitive to criticism": to react too strongly or defensively to critical comments.
- As an artist, she learned not to be oversensitive to criticism from reviewers.
- "oversensitive about one's appearance": to be excessively worried or hurt by comments regarding how one looks.
- He became oversensitive about his appearance after the rude remarks.
Variants and Related Words
- Oversensitivity (n): The quality or state of being oversensitive.
- His oversensitivity to noise made living in the city challenging.
Synonyms
- Thin-skinned: Easily upset by criticism or insults.
- Hypersensitive: Extremely or abnormally sensitive.
- Touchy: Easily offended or upset.
Antonyms
- Thick-skinned: Not easily upset by criticism or insults.
- Insensitive: Showing or feeling no concern for others' feelings.
- Stoic: Enduring pain or hardship without showing feelings or complaining.
Related Phrases
- Have a thin skin: To be easily offended or upset.
- In politics, you can't afford to have a thin skin.
- Take something to heart: To be deeply affected or upset by something.
- She tends to take casual comments to heart, which shows she can be oversensitive.
Adjective
- unduly sensitive or thin-skinned