underreactive
Too slow responding
Underreactive describes a response that falls short of what a situation warrants—too muted, too slow, or insufficiently intense.
A parent who barely glances up when a child falls may be underreactive.
The term appears in psychology and sensory processing contexts, where underreactive individuals don't register stimuli as strongly as expected: Children with sensory processing issues may be underreactive to pain.
Lacking energy or alertness
- uninterestedLacking curiosity or concern
- unmotivatedLacking incentive or drive
- dispassionateFree from emotional involvement
- listlessLacking energy or enthusiasm
bored · disinterested · lackadaisical · unenthused · indolent · uncaring · uninspired · spiritless
Lacking physical sensation
- paralyzedUnable to move voluntarily
- frozenSolidified by extreme cold
- inertInactive, physically or chemically
- immobileUnable to shift
stagnant · lifeless · insensible · unfeeling · detached · disconnected · torpid · dormant
Lacking outward feeling
- impassiveWithout visible emotion
- reservedRestrained in manner
- self-controlledHaving restraint over impulses
- restrainedHeld under control
aloof · stoical · level-headed · unexcitable · controlled · guarded · buttoned-up · tight-lipped
Untroubled and composed
- placidCalm, undisturbed
- tranquilCalm and untroubled
- composedCalm and self-possessed
- unflappableImpossible to disturb
peaceful · relaxed · sedate · mellow · easygoing · coolheaded · imperturbable · zen
lethargic
Lacking energy or alertness
- uninterestedLacking curiosity or concern
- unmotivatedLacking incentive or drive
- dispassionateFree from emotional involvement
listless · bored · disinterested · lackadaisical · unenthused · indolent · uncaring · uninspired · spiritless · half-hearted
numb
Lacking physical sensation
- paralyzedUnable to move voluntarily
- frozenSolidified by extreme cold
- inertInactive, physically or chemically
immobile · stagnant · lifeless · insensible · unfeeling · detached · disconnected · torpid · dormant · comatose
unemotional
Lacking outward feeling
- impassiveWithout visible emotion
- reservedRestrained in manner
- self-controlledHaving restraint over impulses
restrained · aloof · stoical · level-headed · unexcitable · controlled · guarded · buttoned-up · tight-lipped · unexpressive
serene
Untroubled and composed
unflappable · peaceful · relaxed · sedate · mellow · easygoing · coolheaded · imperturbable · zen · equanimous
underreactiveoverreactive
Responding beyond what's warranted
hyperreactive · hypersensitive · oversensitive · highly reactive · overresponsive
underreactivehypersensitive
Excessively reactive to stimuli
oversensitive · supersensitive · ultrasensitive · hypervigilant · thin-skinned
under, reactive, react, reaction, reactions, reactivity, reactor, reactors, reacted