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
Swift has also received heat for the carbon emissions from her private jet, making sustainability and environmental protection something of a touchy subject for Swifties, who are quick to jump to her defense.
—
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2024
How the candidates grade Holcomb The candidates were asked to grade Holcomb's two terms in office, a touchy subject among the Republican primary voters candidates are trying to court.
—Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Mar. 2024
But mutual distrust between China and Taiwan is running high, and Beijing is especially touchy ahead of Mr. Lai’s inauguration.
—Amy Chang Chien, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024
Limiting Trump's access to the RNC's coffers is a touchy subject, and an effort to pressure his team on spending restrictions failed.
—USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024
Credit cards in particular can be a touchy subject in families where older generations avoid them out of the fear of costly debt, while younger generations embrace them for their rewards and convenience.
—Sara Rathner Of Nerdwallet, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2024
The hugely controversial and potentially backfiring trailer came out for the satirical comedy, and the heat was from both touchy, defensive white folks and from potential Black audiences.
—Michael Phillips, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2024
Environmental advocates say that the spate of proposals is a significant development for Indonesia, where authorities have long been touchy about acknowledging the air pollution problem and resistant to calls for action.
—Time, 17 Aug. 2023
Here are some healthy ways to navigate through touchy subjects.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2023
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2024
How the candidates grade Holcomb The candidates were asked to grade Holcomb's two terms in office, a touchy subject among the Republican primary voters candidates are trying to court.
—Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Mar. 2024
But mutual distrust between China and Taiwan is running high, and Beijing is especially touchy ahead of Mr. Lai’s inauguration.
—Amy Chang Chien, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024
Limiting Trump's access to the RNC's coffers is a touchy subject, and an effort to pressure his team on spending restrictions failed.
—USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024
Credit cards in particular can be a touchy subject in families where older generations avoid them out of the fear of costly debt, while younger generations embrace them for their rewards and convenience.
—Sara Rathner Of Nerdwallet, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2024
The hugely controversial and potentially backfiring trailer came out for the satirical comedy, and the heat was from both touchy, defensive white folks and from potential Black audiences.
—Michael Phillips, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2024
Environmental advocates say that the spate of proposals is a significant development for Indonesia, where authorities have long been touchy about acknowledging the air pollution problem and resistant to calls for action.
—Time, 17 Aug. 2023
Here are some healthy ways to navigate through touchy subjects.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2023
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.
Word History
First Known Use
1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing touchy
Dictionary Entries Near touchy
Cite this Entry
“Touchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touchy. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
touchy
adjective
touchier; touchiest
1
: easily hurt or insulted
2
: calling for tact or careful handling
a touchy subject
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