'sensitively-phrased' originates from English compounding: 'sensitively' (from 'sensitive,' ultimately from Latin 'sentīre' meaning 'to feel') + 'phrased' (past participle of 'phrase,' from French 'phrase' via Latin 'phrasis' and Greek 'phrásis' meaning 'speech, expression').

'sensitively' developed from Middle English 'sensitif' (via Old French from Latin 'sensus/sentīre') + adverbial suffix '-ly.' 'Phrase' entered English via French from Greek 'phrásis'; the past participle 'phrased' combined with 'sensitively' to form the modern compound modifier 'sensitively-phrased.'

Initially, it had the literal sense 'phrased in a sensitive manner,' and this meaning remains the primary sense in modern usage, often implying tact or euphemism depending on context.