sensitize meaning and definition

SENSITIZE verb

Definition of sensitize (verb)

1. make sensitive or aware
   • "He was not sensitized to her emotional needs"
   • synonyms: sensibilise, sensibilize, sensify, sensitise
   • antonym: desensitise
2. cause to sense; make sensitive
   • "She sensitized me with respect to gender differences in this traditional male-dominated society"; "My tongue became sensitized to good wine"
   • synonyms: sensitise
   • antonym: desensitise
3. make sensitive to a drug or allergen
   • "Long-term exposure to this medicine may sensitize you to the allergen"
   • synonyms: sensitise
4. make (a material) sensitive to light, often of a particular colour, by coating it with a photographic emulsion
   • "sensitize the photographic film"
   • synonyms: sensitise