desensitization.

A reduction in responsiveness to something previously provoking a stronger reaction.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• gradual desensitization
• desensitization to violence

On the page

The essay examines desensitization to images of suffering.

Usage notes

Primary category: psychology / human behavior. Forms: Usually uncountable; no ordinary plural in this sense. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: character, interpretation. Commonness: moderately common.