1
2
3
as in combustible
capable of catching or being set on fire the experiment involves the use of some touchy chemicals, so caution is required

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 touchy In his acceptance speech for winning best director, Baker issued a call to arms over the touchy subject of how long a title plays exclusively in theaters before going to homes. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025 And others point out that targeting churches, temples and other religious institution remains a politically touchy issue. Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2025 Swathes of people across the world grew up with the Shrek films—and that can make sequels released decades after the original (like Shrek 5) a touchy subject. Callum Booth, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025 The blast of attention falls at a touchy time for Greenland. Maya Tekeli, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for touchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touchy
Adjective
  • The Trump administration – with Musk and his aides as the tip of the spear – have roiled the federal government with mass layoffs and demands for access to sensitive information at agencies including the Social Security Administration and the National Labor Relations Board.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • With uneasiness surrounding reports of electronic searches during border crossings, some travelers have opted to use burner phones—rather than bring their personal phones with them—to protect sensitive information.
    Iona Brannon, AFAR Media, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Rust, a difficult movie to release, grossed $25k at 115 theaters, presented by Falling Forward Films.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 4 May 2025
  • Surace 39-37 Round 3 - These are difficult to score.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Adjective
  • That leaves the party with a combustible combination of entrenched elites presiding over a rank-and-file cohort that loathes both Donald Trump and their own party.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Mixed in with newer homes and buildings constructed with fire-wise methods and materials are wooden cabins from the 1940s and ‘50s with highly combustible shake roofs and wood decks.
    CalMatters, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • It is believed to reduce pain and inflammation, and has been used for treatment of back pain, high blood pressure, arthritis, migraines, and irritable bowel disease.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
  • And even in what was a stilted match played in an increasingly irritable atmosphere, Rogers and Tielemans delivered with an assist each.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Four times, he’s used it to strikeout hitters, with the horizontal break being tough to pick up.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
  • However, the emotional side of living with the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be just as tough.
    Caitlin Carlson, SELF, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ultimately more than 300 pounds of explosive precursor materials, hazardous chemicals, firearms and remote detonation devices were found in his home, vehicle and office, prosecutors said.
    Alex Stone, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
  • An explosive start gave way to an injury that sucked the wind out of the Grizzlies’ sails, allowing the Thunder to pull off a historic comeback.
    Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • At least, that’s how a plurality of Americans perceive the tetchy state of our union.
    Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Trading was tetchy at first, floating between flat and a 1.5 percent gain.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Be especially wary of really, really flammable things.
    Matthew Korfhage, WIRED, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Another consideration is how close the development sits to heavy vegetation and highly flammable fuels, and to manage them with a combination of wet zones, thinning zones, and fire-resistant planting.
    Jennifer Castenson, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Touchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touchy. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on touchy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!