sensitizing

Verb

sensitize (third-person singular simple present sensitizes, present participle sensitizing, simple past and past participle sensitized)

1. To make (someone or something) sensitive or responsive to certain stimuli.
   • Anaphylaxis is the syndrome elicited in a hypersensitive subject upon subsequent exposure to the sensitizing antigen.1999, Michael A. Kaliner, “12: Anaphylaxis”, in Marianne Frieri, Brett Kettelhut, editors, Food Hypersensitivity and Adverse Reactions, page 257
2. To make (someone) increasingly aware of, in a concerned or sensitive way.
   • Ever since the burglary, we've been more sensitized to home security issues.

   Synonyms:

   familiarize

3. (transitive) To render capable of being acted on by actinic rays of light.