Definitions
- Referring to becoming accustomed to something unpleasant or difficult. - Describing a person who has developed a tolerance for pain, hardship, or adversity. - Talking about a situation where someone has become immune to the effects of something.
- Referring to becoming less sensitive or responsive to something over time. - Describing a person who has lost their emotional reaction to something due to repeated exposure. - Talking about a situation where someone has become numb to the effects of something.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a process of becoming less affected by something over time.
- 2Both words imply a loss of sensitivity or emotional reaction.
- 3Both words can be used to describe a person's response to a situation or experience.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Inured is more commonly used in formal contexts, while desensitized is more commonly used in informal contexts.
- 2Cause: Inured implies that someone has become accustomed to something through repeated exposure or experience, while desensitized implies that someone has lost their sensitivity or emotional reaction to something.
- 3Emphasis: Inured emphasizes the development of tolerance or immunity to something, while desensitized emphasizes the loss of sensitivity or emotional reaction to something.
- 4Connotation: Inured can have a positive connotation, implying strength or resilience, while desensitized can have a negative connotation, implying a lack of empathy or emotional response.
- 5Scope: Inured can refer to physical or emotional experiences, while desensitized typically refers to emotional experiences.
Remember this!
Inured and desensitized are synonyms that describe a process of becoming less affected by something over time. However, inured implies that someone has become accustomed to something through repeated exposure or experience, while desensitized implies that someone has lost their sensitivity or emotional reaction to something. Inured can have a positive connotation, emphasizing strength or resilience, while desensitized can have a negative connotation, implying a lack of empathy or emotional response.