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hypersensitive
/ˌhaɪpərˈsɛnsətɪv/
extremely sensitive
She is hypersensitive to criticism and takes it personally.
She reacts strongly to criticism, feeling hurt easily.
general
extremely sensitive to physical or emotional stimuli
His skin is hypersensitive to sunlight.
His skin reacts strongly to sunlight exposure.
The child is hypersensitive to loud noises.
The child is easily disturbed by loud sounds.
Often used to describe people who are easily offended or emotionally reactive.
Collocations
hypersensitive to criticismreacting strongly to negative feedbackhypersensitive skinskin that reacts strongly to stimuli
Pro Tip
Avoid overuse
Using 'hypersensitive' too often can make your writing seem repetitive. Vary with synonyms like 'oversensitive' or 'reactive'.
Gold Rule
Context matters
In medical contexts, 'hypersensitive' refers to physical reactions, while in social contexts, it describes emotional reactions.
Word Origin
From Greek 'hyper-' (excessive) + 'sensitive' (responsive to stimuli).
Usage Notes
Often used in medical contexts to describe heightened physical sensitivity, but also common in psychological and social contexts.
Word Breakdown
hyper-
excessive
prefix-sensitive
responsive to stimuli
rootEnglish Dictionary