sensitively
/ˈsɛnsɪtɪvli
/adverb
1In a way that is quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences: plants respond sensitively to the environment...
- The predicted age depends much more sensitively on Hubble's constant.
- The transactivation assay needed to sensitively detect changes in transcription factor activity.
- The stains have been used to sensitively detect single DNA fragments using two-photon fluorescence excitation.
1.1In a manner that shows quickness to take offence or become upset: there is no need to react sensitively over every statement...
- What message is sent to those who are sensitively emotional and who hold dear to this?
- It is a living document of a mother and wife who sensitively reacts to the surroundings and often is hurt by the difficulties encountered by those near and dear to her.
- The girl's fair face flushed sensitively, and she averted her eyes.
2With a quick and delicate appreciation of others' feelings: the issue needs to be handled sensitively responding sensitively to parental anxiety remains essential...
- Her work remains sensitively attuned to women's issues.
- I was constantly impressed by how sensitively caring he is for her human limitations while describing them so clinically.
- Teachers need to be able to bounce back quickly and react sensitively to their needs.
2.1With care, perceptiveness, and appreciation: the Edwardian property has been sensitively restored and redecorated the scene is sensitively portrayed...
- The balcony reaches across the back of the chapel, sensitively preserving existing wood details.
- They are beautifully played, and the orchestras are sensitively directed by the respective conductors.
- Every feather and bit of down on the bird is sensitively reproduced.
3In a way that ensures secrecy or restrictions on disclosure: any information we receive will be treated sensitively...
- Information about a member's positive screening test will be treated sensitively and on a strict need-to-know basis.
- Unless handled strategically and sensitively, such organisational complexity has the potential to cause conflict.
- Refer to the section on 'handling secrecy sensitively'.