1
as in sensitive
easily offended
watch what you say around him, as he's very touchy about every little thing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
money is a touchy subject for many people and shouldn't be discussed casually
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of touchy
The controls are touchy when inserting the buds, but otherwise convenient thanks to both a multi-key and volume rocker.
—
Ryan Waniata, Wired News, 27 May 2025
That remains a politically touchy issue in the U.K., seen by some Brexiteers as inching back toward free movement, according to the Associated Press.
—Danielle Wallace, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2025
In that sense, the vulgar Vader situation creates a touchy dilemma for Epic Games and Disney, which likely invested substantially in this high-profile collaboration.
—ArsTechnica, 16 May 2025
Few things in life are touchier or more prone to argument than the topic of favorite sports movies.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for touchy
Ryan Waniata, Wired News, 27 May 2025
That remains a politically touchy issue in the U.K., seen by some Brexiteers as inching back toward free movement, according to the Associated Press.
—Danielle Wallace, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2025
In that sense, the vulgar Vader situation creates a touchy dilemma for Epic Games and Disney, which likely invested substantially in this high-profile collaboration.
—ArsTechnica, 16 May 2025
Few things in life are touchier or more prone to argument than the topic of favorite sports movies.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for touchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touchy
Adjective
-
Federated Learning: This privacy-preserving technique allows AI models to learn from decentralized data across games and platforms without compromising user privacy, enhancing moderation without centralizing sensitive data.—
Anees Ali Khan,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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They are also believed to degrade water quality, which can hurt sensitive organisms like freshwater mussels.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This deep understanding of local transportation patterns would have been difficult with rapid multi-city expansion.—
Tima Bansal,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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But even though scientists have been able to discover thousands of planets orbiting stars beyond our solar system in recent years, including some around Proxima Centauri, which is fairly a dim star, it's been difficult to go planet-hunting around Alpha Centauri A and B, which orbit each other.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In an increasingly competitive and combustible world, and with an economically fragile and politically polarized domestic environment, the United States cannot afford being caught by surprise.—
MATAN CHOREV,
Foreign Affairs,
22 July 2025
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An employee at a Pyro Spectaculars, Inc. warehouse tripped and dropped a combustible shell.—
Calista Oetama
July 3,
Sacbee.com,
3 July 2025
Adjective
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Not surprisingly, then, these films are usually littered with bums and losers — people who really should have moved on with their lives — possessing irritable personalities, cynical worldviews, or hilarious delusions of grandeur.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
25 July 2025
-
People become irritable, withdrawn, or hyper-independent.—
Barnaby Lashbrooke,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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Even if increasing competition and financial obstruction have influenced summer recruitment, making this season’s challenges tougher, the confidence in Unai Emery and Villa’s football department remains unerring.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
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Unlike Trump, they aren’t charmed by the Kremlin’s tough guy.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Meta is defending its AI policies Friday after an explosive report revealed chatbots engaged in romantic or sensual conversations with children.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
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This type of explosive strengthening is happening more frequently as planet-warming pollution tips the scales toward hotter oceans that fuel powerful storms.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Britain has since struck a trade deal with the U.S., however, becoming the first country to do so as tetchy trade talks continue for other trading partners, including the European Union which is still waiting to sign a trade agreement with Washington.—
Jenni Reid,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
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Her new novel, Spent, tells the story of one Alison Bechdel, a tetchy lesbian cartoonist running a pygmy-goat sanctuary in Vermont who is trying to write a memoir about the corrupting influence of money.—
Andrea Long Chu,
Vulture,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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When using a space heater, ensure the area is clear of dust, hair, and other flammable debris.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 July 2025
-
Soliman allegedly entered the park carrying a backpack with 18 glass bottles and jars, as well as flammable liquid and red rags, and approached the group, according to the Justice Department.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Touchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touchy. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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