WordWeb Online

1. Making less susceptible or sensitive to either physical or emotional stimuli
   "Thus, instead of desensitising the fearful dog, the trainer had reinforced the fear";
   - desensitizing

1. Cause not to be sensitive
   "The war desensitised many soldiers"; "The photographic plate was desensitised";
   - desensitize
    
2. Make insensitive
   "His military training desensitised him";
   - desensitize

See also: numbing, predisposition, sensitivity

Type of: alter, change, modify

Antonym: sensibilise [Brit], sensitise [Brit], sensitising [Brit]