desensitize

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

desensitize
    v 1: cause not to be sensitive; "The war desensitized many
         soldiers"; "The photographic plate was desensitized" [syn:
         {desensitize}, {desensitise}] [ant: {sensitise},
         {sensitize}]
    2: make insensitive; "His military training desensitized him"
       [syn: {desensitize}, {desensitise}] [ant: {sensibilise},
       {sensibilize}, {sensify}, {sensitise}, {sensitize}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

desensitize \desensitize\ v. t.
   to rendered insensitive or less sensitive. Opposite of
   {sensitize}.

   Syn: deaden.
        [WordNet 1.5]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

30 Moby Thesaurus words for "desensitize":
      KO, anesthetize, bedaze, benumb, besot, blunt, chloroform,
      coldcock, deaden, dope, drug, dull, etherize, freeze, hebetate,
      kayo, knock out, knock senseless, knock stiff, knock unconscious,
      lay out, mull, narcotize, numb, obtund, palsy, paralyze,
      put to sleep, stun, stupefy

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