underresponsive
Slow to respond
Underresponsive describes someone or something that reacts less than expected or appropriate to stimuli, demands, or communication.
The term appears in clinical contexts for children who don't react typically to sensory input, and in organizational settings for institutions slow to address concerns: The agency has been underresponsive to community complaints.
Compare with unresponsive, which suggests no response at all.
Without feeling or concern
- indifferentLacking interest or concern
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- dispassionateFree from emotional involvement
- unmovedNot stirred physically/emotionally
uncaring · emotionless · unfeeling · cold · aloof · distant · impassive · stoic
Slow and inactive
- lethargicLacking energy or alertness
- torpidInactive and slow
- slowLacking in speed
- listlessLacking energy or enthusiasm
languid · drowsy · fatigued · inert · heavy · delayed · lagging · dulled
Not actively participating
- withdrawnEmotionally distant, disengaged
- unassertiveNot forceful or bold
- meekHumbly unassertive
- subduedReduced in intensity
quiet · reserved · inactive · disengaged · uncommunicative · reticent · avoidant · tuned-out
Lacking physical sensation
- hyposensitiveDiminished response to stimuli
- dulledMade less sharp
- mutedMade quieter or softer
- desensitizedMade unresponsive through overexposure
blunted · dampened · insensate · thick-skinned · impervious · unreceptive · unregistering · underreactive
Having low blood pressure
- depressedPersistently sad, spiritless
- suppressedForcibly held down
- diminishedMade or became smaller
- attenuatedLessened in force
blunted · flat · underperforming · impaired · compromised · dysfunctional
apathetic
Without feeling or concern
- indifferentLacking interest or concern
- detachedApart or uninvolved
- dispassionateFree from emotional involvement
unmoved · uncaring · emotionless · unfeeling · cold · aloof · distant · impassive · stoic · numb
sluggish
Slow and inactive
listless · languid · drowsy · fatigued · inert · heavy · delayed · lagging · dulled · sedated
passive
Not actively participating
- withdrawnEmotionally distant, disengaged
- unassertiveNot forceful or bold
- meekHumbly unassertive
subdued · quiet · reserved · inactive · disengaged · uncommunicative · reticent · avoidant · tuned-out · zoned-out
numb
Lacking physical sensation
- hyposensitiveDiminished response to stimuli
- dulledMade less sharp
- mutedMade quieter or softer
desensitized · blunted · dampened · insensate · thick-skinned · impervious · unreceptive · unregistering · underreactive
hypotensive
Having low blood pressure
- depressedPersistently sad, spiritless
- suppressedForcibly held down
- diminishedMade or became smaller
attenuated · blunted · flat · underperforming · impaired · compromised · dysfunctional
underresponsiveoverresponsive
Reacting excessively to stimuli
hyperresponsive · hypersensitive · oversensitive · responsive · hyperreactive
underresponsiveattentive
Paying close notice
responsive · caring · sympathetic · engaged · attuned
under, responsive, response, respond, responds, responded, responding, responder, responders