How to Use sensitization in a Sentence

sensitization

noun
  • One of the ways pain becomes chronic is because of this process called central sensitization.
    — Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Consumers should avoid skin contact with these lacquers due to the sensitization potential.
    — Danusia Wnek, Good Housekeeping, 22 Sep. 2022
  • One of the processes that allows pain to move from acute to chronic is the development of central sensitization.
    — Jessica Dulong, CNN, 27 June 2022
  • To understand this sensitization, the team then examined how the process works on a genomic level.
    — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 17 July 2019
  • Under the new guidance, schools must publish their safety and sensitization plans for public review at least one week before classes begin.
    — Madison Dibble, Washington Examiner, 7 July 2020
  • As a starting point, diversity training and sensitization programs have helped to address bias.
    — Ritu Anand, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2021
  • Once a person becomes sensitive to formaldehyde, even a low-level exposure to the chemical can cause the body to react, and the sensitization may not be reversible.
    — Longreads, 5 June 2019
  • These populations already have had sensitization to other toxicants - wildfire smoke is just another variable on top of that.
    — Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 9 June 2023
  • Generally, sensitization—or the process by which an allergy develops—to mosquito bites happens over the course of multiple bites.
    — Eleesha Lockett, SELF, 8 June 2022
  • The decision was due to the resin in the product, which can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation or sensitization if inhaled, touched, or ingested by people.
    — Solcyré Burga, TIME, 25 June 2024
  • The anesthetic ketamine disrupts pain pathways that contribute to a condition called central sensitization.
    — Heather Margonari, Discover Magazine, 28 Nov. 2024
  • It's known that this memory (long term sensitization, LTS) can be 'erased' with the help of a drug that blocks synapse formation (a protein synthesis inhibitor).
    — Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2014
  • Many scientists believe this sensitization involves oxytocin, a hormone made in the hypothalamus.
    — Dina Litovsky, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Apr. 2021
  • Exposure is tracked through air monitoring, surface sample testing and annual blood tests for beryllium sensitization.
    — Susie Neilson, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 July 2025
  • This heightened sensitization of the markets to the Fed’s messaging creates a new source of financial instability, and (arguably) adds to the systemic risk for investors.
    — George Calhoun, Forbes, 10 May 2021
  • In recent weeks, the Kenyan government has been on a sensitization campaign to reduce the reluctance of frontline workers to take the AstraZeneca vaccine.
    — Star Tribune, 3 Apr. 2021
  • Clauw and his Michigan colleagues believe that central sensitization shows up in myriad conditions, from irritable bowel syndrome to chronic pelvic pain to dry eye disease.
    — Amber Dance, Discover Magazine, 21 Jan. 2020
  • Clauw and his Michigan colleagues believe that central sensitization shows up in myriad conditions, from irritable bowel syndrome to chronic pelvic pain to dry eye disease.
    — Amber Dance, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2020
  • That can happen even when there is no ongoing vaso-occlusion, says Darbari, who studies brain-activation patterns to better understand this sensitization process.
    — Emily Sohn, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024
  • Candidates are prioritized on the waitlist by placing them into categories, including blood type and antibody sensitization.
    — Julie Washington, cleveland, 13 July 2021
  • Overstimulation led to more enjoyment of cocaine, less sensitization to it and ever more hyperactivity.
    — Erik Vance, Scientific American, 15 May 2018
  • Aggressive chemicals can damage the skin barrier and increase the risk of sensitization, leading to allergic reactions or contact dermatitis.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Some ailments, like rheumatoid arthritis, can exhibit both peripheral pathology and central sensitization.
    — New York Times, 26 Apr. 2022
  • But even levels of beryllium below the Energy Department’s standards can cause sensitization, Newman said.
    — Susie Neilson, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 July 2025
  • The clear, colorless liquid can cause irritation to the eyes, skin and upper respiratory system, along with sensitization dermatitis and difficulty breathing.
    — Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 17 Feb. 2023
  • The authors hypothesize that the RNA may have induced epigenetic changes in the neurons of the recipient animals which caused the sensitization.
    — Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 18 May 2018
  • Studies have shown, for example, that people can develop a general hypersensitivity to pain after an injury — a condition called central sensitization — that can persist long after the injury has healed.
    — David C. Roberts, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2017
  • By combining catalytic activity with electronic sensitization, their sensor achieves a rare mix of ultra-high sensitivity, low power use, and stable operation.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026
  • In fact, maternal sensitization is possible even if the virgin’s pituitary gland—her hormonal manufacturing center—is surgically removed.
    — Dina Litovsky, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Apr. 2021
  • According to the results, no evidence of irritation or sensitization was observed, supporting the product’s suitability for sensitive skin under test conditions.
    — Zachary Reed, Mercury News, 23 June 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sensitization.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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