The term DESENSITIZES can be broken down into two words: NUMBS and SENSITIZES. NUMBS is a verb meaning to make something less sensitive or less responsive to stimuli, while SENSITIZES is the opposite, meaning to make something more sensitive or more responsive to stimuli. In other words, DESENSITIZES means to make something less sensitive or less responsive to stimuli. This process is often used in psychology to help people cope with traumatic events or difficult emotions.