touching

1 of 2

adjective

touch·​ing ˈtə-chiŋ 

: capable of arousing emotions of tenderness or compassion

touchingly adverb

touching

2 of 2

preposition

: in reference to : concerning

Synonyms

Adjective

• adjacent
• neighboring
• adjoining
• closest

Preposition

• regarding
• concerning
• about
• on
• of
• towards
• toward

Choose the Right Synonym for touching

moving, impressive, poignant, affecting, touching, pathetic mean having the power to produce deep emotion.

moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.

a moving appeal for contributions

impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

an impressive list of achievements

poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.

a poignant documentary on the homeless

affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

an affecting deathbed reunion

touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.

the touching innocence in a child's eyes

pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

Examples of touching in a Sentence

Adjective

touching lots in the housing development will eventually be separated by hedges for privacy

a touching movie about two lost animals who try to find their way home

Preposition

there has been an objection touching the last of the proposed new bylaws

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Loebbert commemorated the anniversary with a touching Instagram tribute to the actress. —Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025

This is both a touching answer and a very Brazilian one. —Jack Lang, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025

Then a touching reunion in NC Francine, a beloved cat who spent eight years living at a Lowe’s store in Richmond, Virginia, vanished after getting onto a truck and ended up at a distribution center in Garysburg, North Carolina. —Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2025

The Princess of Wales made a touching statement about family relationships amid the turbulent problems faced by the royal family caused by Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. —Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for touching

• clutching
• retouching

Kids Definition

touching

adjective

touch·​ing

ˈtəch-iŋ

: causing a feeling of tenderness or pity

a touching story

touchingly adverb