systematic desensitization
noun · n
Simple meaning
A technique used in behavior therapy to treat phobias and other behavior problems involving anxiety.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
sihstuhmatihkdihsensuhtihzayshuhnSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
sɪstəˈmætɪkdɪsɛnsətɪzeɪʃən
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
A technique used in behavior therapy to treat phobias and other behavior problems involving anxiety; client is exposed to the threatening situation under relaxed conditions until the anxiety reaction is extinguished
n
Systematic desensitization, or graduated exposure therapy, is a behavior therapy developed by the psychiatrist Joseph Wolpe.
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: A technique used in behavior therapy to treat phobias and other behavior problems involving anxiety; client is exposed to the threatening situation under relaxed conditions until the anxiety reaction is extinguished
Used this way, systematic desensitization is a specialist word with a clearly unfavourable pull. It turns up most in business or professional contexts.
- Emotional tone
- Negative
- Formality
- Specialist/technical
- Intensity
- Moderate
- How common
- Specialized
- Connotation
- Serious and weighty
- Usage feel
- Clinical and detached
Where it naturally appears
- Business/professional
Usage note
In general conversation this sense usually needs explaining — outside its field, people reach for a plainer word.
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
Share your sentence
Ask Vocabaura
Understand the word your way.
What Does It Mean Here?
Words can change meaning depending on context.
Use it yourself
Knowing “systematic desensitization” starts when you use it. Pick a next step, all free.
- Use it in a sentenceWrite your own line with “systematic desensitization” and get instant feedback.
- Practice it in contextShort real-world questions, free, no credits.
- Review it laterSpaced review keeps the word from slipping away.
- Type itType “systematic desensitization” from its meaning to lock in the spelling.
Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.