1. causing reduced sensitivity or responsiveness to stimuli

1. present participle of desensitize: making less sensitive or responsive to stimuli

Examples

• The desensitizing cream helped reduce the pain during the procedure.
• Repeated exposure to violence can have a desensitizing effect on children.
• The dentist applied a desensitizing gel to my sensitive teeth.
• The therapist is gradually desensitizing the patient to their phobia.
• Desensitizing toothpaste can help with tooth sensitivity.
• The medication works by desensitizing nerve endings.
• Critics worry that violent video games are desensitizing young people to real violence.