ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hypersensitivity

n. C / U
C1 Advanced US //ˌhaɪpɝˈsɛnsɪˌtɪvɪˌti// UK //hˌaɪpəsənsɪtˈɪvɪti// hy·per·sen·si·tiv·i·ty

n. an extreme or unusual reaction to something that most people would not find annoying. It can also mean a medical condition where your body reacts too strongly to a substance like pollen.

n. an excessive or abnormal reaction to a stimulus, such as a physical allergen or a psychological stressor. Often used in medical contexts to describe allergic responses or in psychological contexts to describe extreme emotional reactivity.


SIMPLE

She has a hypersensitivity to loud noises.

CONTEXTUAL

The patient was diagnosed with a hypersensitivity to certain metals, which caused a rash every time he wore a new belt.

COMPLEX

While some critics dismissed the author's hypersensitivity to public opinion as mere paranoia, others argued it was a necessary defense mechanism in an increasingly hostile media landscape.

Origin

From hyper- + sensitivity.

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