touch 1 of 2

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2
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as in to affect
to be the business or affair of I don't think this decision touches you, so butt out

Synonyms & Similar Words

touch

2 of 2

noun

1
as in contact
the state or fact of being able to exchange information regarding one's current situation everyone promised to keep in touch over the summer

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
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as in hint
an almost imperceptible sign of something a touch of irritation tinged his voice as the candidate fielded yet another question about his personal finances

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb touch differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of touch are affect, impress, influence, strike, and sway. While all these words mean "to produce or have an effect upon," touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming.

plants touched by frost
his emotions were touched by her distress

When can affect be used instead of touch?

The words affect and touch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction.

the sight affected her to tears

Where would impress be a reasonable alternative to touch?

The meanings of impress and touch largely overlap; however, impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect.

only one of the plans impressed him

When could influence be used to replace touch?

The synonyms influence and touch are sometimes interchangeable, but influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior).

our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing

When is strike a more appropriate choice than touch?

While in some cases nearly identical to touch, strike, similar to but weaker than impress, may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation.

struck by the solemnity of the occasion

When is it sensible to use sway instead of touch?

Although the words sway and touch have much in common, sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action.

politicians who are swayed by popular opinion

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of touch
Verb
What stands in the way is not a lack of need but a lack of preparation across the systems that touch women’s lives. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025 The 31-year-old right-handed pitcher used his cutter, his sweeper, his slider and his heat – a four-seem fastball that touched 100 mph early and remained in the high-90s. Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
Guest rooms have a more streamlined look, with a neutral palette accented by sleek furnishings, oversized windows, plush platform beds, and tech-friendly touches, such as plug-and-play connectivity. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025 Early in the segment, Carpenter’s character, Queen Lisha—who paired motivational speeches with upbeat choreography—suffered a concussion after her backup dancers threw her a touch too hard into a window. Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 19 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for touch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touch
Verb
  • Man, that jolt felt like Emmanuel Sanders streaking down the sidelines at Cleveland.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Probably my favorite of the season so far – feels like a new direction in a lot of ways.
    Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Their campaign influenced the Lacey Act of 1900, inspired Teddy Roosevelt to establish the first federal bird reservations, and ultimately led to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.
    Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025
  • While the Fed doesn’t control mortgage rates, its actions can influence them by affecting the 10-year Treasury yield.
    Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That means Zaha will be suspended for Game 1 of the playoffs against NYCFC, which tainted an otherwise near-perfect evening for the home team.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2025
  • In its new filing, Mangione’s defense team expressed concern about tainting the pool of prospective jurors.
    Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Where to stay One 1913 Beaux-Arts building and one modern structure joined by a courtyard, Ignacia Guest House has nine rooms, a pink lounge, a library, and a kitchen and dining space with French doors that lead outside.
    Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The actor joined the cast in 2014.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Here's what to know about both recalls, including how many vehicles are affected and what impacted owners should do.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But Austin didn’t see any of that groove appear for Piastri, whose cutback attempt at the start of the sprint contributed to what was ruled by the stewards to be a racing incident, the contact with Nico Hülkenberg ultimately taking out both McLarens (and Fernando Alonso).
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • At that time, Adams was SDUHSD’s director of special education and was the district’s point of contact for parents of ATP students.
    Marsha Sutton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The slide created a gargantuan splash – a hyper-local, but massive tsunami that ran up the opposite mountain slope, leveling everything in its path as high as the Empire State Building.
    Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Try it with a splash of milk and a drizzle of honey.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • New episodes drop every Wednesday and feature interviews with artists and personalities like Lainey Wilson, Hardy, Charley Crockett, Gavin Adcock, Amanda Shires, Shooter Jennings, Margo Price, Dusty Slay, Lukas Nelson, Ashley Monroe, Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor, and Clever.
    Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Creators of websites can implement accessibility features that could help aid the AI models powering the browser.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Touch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touch. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

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