sensitize

Universal Words (BrE also sensitise) verb [VN] [usuallypassive] 1 ~ sb/sth (to sth) to make sb/sth more aware of sth, especially a problem or sth bad: People are becoming more sensitized to the dangers threatening the environment. 2 (technical) to treat a material or piece of equipment so that it will be sensitive to physical or chemical changes: Anxious people can become acutely sensitized to their bodies, noticing and focussing on minor bodily changes. sensitization, sensitisation noun [U]