1. the process of reducing or eliminating an emotional or physical response to something that previously caused a strong reaction
Usage: commonly used in psychology and therapy contexts
2. a therapeutic technique in which a person is gradually exposed to a feared stimulus to reduce anxiety or phobic responses
Usage: psychology and clinical psychology term; also called systematic desensitization
3. the process of becoming less emotionally responsive or concerned about something due to repeated exposure
Usage: general usage

Examples

• The therapist used desensitization to help the patient overcome her fear of flying.
• Repeated exposure to violent media can lead to desensitization to real-world violence.
• Through gradual desensitization, he became comfortable speaking in front of large audiences.
• The desensitization process involved relaxation techniques paired with imagined exposure to the feared situation.
• Some researchers worry about desensitization to social media notifications affecting our attention spans.
• Desensitization therapy has proven effective for treating specific phobias and anxiety disorders.