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
Amid touching on other touchy topics, Xavi also accused Laporta of vetoing Lionel Messi’s proposed 2023 return to the club.
—
Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
People are touchy during the Full Moon.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Although unconfirmed, sources also believe Biel may still be upset by photos published by The Sun in 2019 of Timberlake being touchy with his Palmer co-star Alisha Wainwright in New Orleans.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 25 May 2026
But they are mentioned without context, in a way that underlines the Smithsonian’s touchy relationship with an administration that has not hesitated to strong-arm the institution.
—Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for touchy
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Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
People are touchy during the Full Moon.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
Although unconfirmed, sources also believe Biel may still be upset by photos published by The Sun in 2019 of Timberlake being touchy with his Palmer co-star Alisha Wainwright in New Orleans.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 25 May 2026
But they are mentioned without context, in a way that underlines the Smithsonian’s touchy relationship with an administration that has not hesitated to strong-arm the institution.
—Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for touchy
Cite this Entry
“Touchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touchy. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
touchy
adjective
touchier; touchiest
1
: easily hurt or insulted
2
: calling for tact or careful handling
a touchy subject
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