touch 1 of 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
The ruling didn't touch on the merits of either side of the lawsuit. Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 18 June 2025 Inaba touched on these themes several times during our interview, which was conducted over email via a translator. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 June 2025
Noun
The actress visited the Big Tigger morning Show to discuss her new movie Finding Faith and touch on her sobriety journey. Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 18 June 2025 While his might not be the most popular skill set in the modern game, Goldin was a powerful post player and exhibited strong touch around the basket. Eric Nehm, New York Times, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for touch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touch
Verb
  • In the meantime, the changing guidance has left many workers feeling uneasy, with some failing to show up to job sites for fear of being arrested and subject to deportation proceedings.
    Miriam Waldvogel, The Hill, 21 June 2025
  • But when the reality of her situation sinks in, Ruth feels betrayed and flees the facility in search of something familiar.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Recruiters can shift their focus from screening resumes to building relationships, influencing candidate decisions and championing the employer brand.
    Kehinde Fawumi, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • In their eyes, his music influenced an entire generation of artists and creatives.
    Mark P. Braboy, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • It’s been 17 years since tainted blood thinner from China injured or killed hundreds of people in the United States, and since then, contaminants and other defects have appeared in a cross section of America’s generic drugs.
    Brandon Roberts, ProPublica, 17 June 2025
  • The woman was unavailable for an interview with USA TODAY because she was hospitalized. Untreated, Amy said the mental health condition’s fantastical conspiracies tainted her mom's decisions.
    Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • And so, emboldened, Allie and her best friend from high school, Carol Wilber, joined their brothers and began livestreaming on TikTok, too.
    Avery Stone, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
  • Following a media event at the World Expo taking place in Osaka, Yanai joined filmmaker and fund recipient Hasan Kattan, as well as managing director of the International Film Festival Rotterdam Clare Stewart, in speaking with WWD.
    Kelly Wetherille, Footwear News, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Boozman’s committee was responsible for drafting legislation affecting nutrition assistance and agriculture programs.
    Alex Thomas, Arkansas Online, 24 June 2025
  • Extending the ceiling through a reconciliation bill would allow the government to keep making scheduled payments — including Social Security checks, veterans' benefits and tax refunds — and help avoid the kind of financial market turmoil that can negatively affect the broader economy.
    Mike Winters, CNBC, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • That, as of the time of our meeting, had been the only moment of contact.
    Emily Witt, New Yorker, 22 June 2025
  • Everton have remained in contact with the representatives of both Keane and Calvert-Lewin.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • The Colorado Rapids, who have made their fair share of splash signings over the past two seasons, are ninth lowest in the league in payroll for their first-team players.
    Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 25 June 2025
  • The world’s largest sailing yacht just made a mighty splash in France.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • McEnroe and Evert each gave TNT high marks for its debut, with the latter commentator praising the cable network’s willingness to experiment with big names and decidedly untraditional features.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 June 2025
  • In fact, 9 in 10 young adults consider the in-car infotainment platform an important feature when making purchasing decisions.
    Jon Kirchner, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Touch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touch. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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