touchier; touchiest
1
: marked by readiness to take offense on slight provocation
he's a little touchy about his past
2
: calling for tact, care, or caution in treatment
a touchy subject
3
a
of a body part
: acutely sensitive or irritable
b
of a chemical
: highly explosive or inflammable
Examples of touchy in a Sentence
Don't be so touchy. I was just kidding.
watch what you say around him, as he's very touchy about every little thing
Recent Examples on the Web
Questions remain over key appointments at Creative Greece, as well as how its budget will be allocated — a touchy subject for the domestic industry, which has been chronically underfunded.
—
Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 15 May 2024
Fossil fuel companies have been especially touchy about shareholder resolutions calling on them to take firmer action on global warming and to be more transparent about the effects their products have on climate.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for touchy 
Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 15 May 2024
Fossil fuel companies have been especially touchy about shareholder resolutions calling on them to take firmer action on global warming and to be more transparent about the effects their products have on climate.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for touchy
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'touchy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near touchy
Cite this Entry
“Touchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touchy. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
touchy
adjective
touchier; touchiest
1
: easily hurt or insulted
2
: calling for tact or careful handling
a touchy subject
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share