insensibly
Gradually, without awareness
Insensibly means gradually, by imperceptible degrees—so slowly that change goes unnoticed until complete: The sky insensibly darkened as evening approached.
The word can also mean without physical sensation or awareness: She lay insensibly on the floor after fainting.
Both senses share the idea of something happening below the threshold of conscious perception.
Cannot be sensed
- incrementalProceeding by small additions
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
- subtleNot immediately obvious
- slowLacking in speed
steady · continuous · bit-by-bit · creeping · glacial · phased · measured · unhurried
Lacking any awareness
- unknowingLacking awareness or information
- unconsciouslyWithout being aware
- unwittinglyWithout awareness or intention
- heedlesslyWithout paying attention
unmindful · blindly · unperceptive · inattentive · unsuspecting · unobservant · ignorantly · neglectfully
Without compassion or emotion
- deadenedMade less intense
- benumbedMade unfeeling, desensitized
- torpidInactive and slow
- callouslyWithout regard for others
indifferently · apathetically · emotionlessly · impassively · coldly · stolidly · detachedly · hardened
imperceptible
Cannot be sensed
- incrementalProceeding by small additions
- progressiveFavoring reform and innovation
- subtleNot immediately obvious
slow · steady · continuous · bit-by-bit · creeping · glacial · phased · measured · unhurried · gentle
oblivious
Lacking any awareness
- unknowingLacking awareness or information
- unconsciouslyWithout being aware
- unwittinglyWithout awareness or intention
heedlessly · unmindful · blindly · unperceptive · inattentive · unsuspecting · unobservant · ignorantly · neglectfully · unseeing
unfeeling
Without compassion or emotion
callously · indifferently · apathetically · emotionlessly · impassively · coldly · stolidly · detachedly · hardened · blunted
senseless
Lacking reason or awareness
- comatoseDeeply unconscious, unrousable
- unresponsiveFailing to react or reply
- obliviousLacking any awareness
insensiblyconsciously
With deliberate awareness
knowingly · deliberately · mindfully · wittingly · attentively
insensiblyperceptibly
Able to be noticed
noticeably · visibly · obviously · suddenly · abruptly
insensiblycompassionately
With caring concern
sensitively · feelingly · empathetically · sympathetically · tenderly