1
as in sensitive
easily offended
he's ticklish about his looks, so it's wisest to avoid the subject altogether
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
trying to tell him that his zipper is down without embarrassing him will be a ticklish task
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ticklish
From celebrities to brands and many other users across the platform, folks chimed in to share their despair with Hollywood’s most ticklish friend.
—
Ryan Fish, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
In practice, the last of these—which sounds tame, and which refers to the number of people who will be affected by the act—is probably the most morally ticklish, as any secondhand smoker can confirm.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023
This is a ticklish subject, to be sure.
—Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 6 Oct. 2022
What keeps Sandy from jumping turns out to be one of Row’s cleverest, most ticklish plot devices.
—John Domini, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for ticklish
Ryan Fish, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
In practice, the last of these—which sounds tame, and which refers to the number of people who will be affected by the act—is probably the most morally ticklish, as any secondhand smoker can confirm.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023
This is a ticklish subject, to be sure.
—Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 6 Oct. 2022
What keeps Sandy from jumping turns out to be one of Row’s cleverest, most ticklish plot devices.
—John Domini, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for ticklish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ticklish
Adjective
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The observatory’s mirror design, sensitive camera and telescope speed are all the first of its kind, enabling Rubin to spot tiny, faint objects such as asteroids.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
23 June 2025
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With the hot and humid conditions, ozone levels will become unhealthy for sensitive groups (people with lung disease, young children, older adults, etc.).—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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This moderately difficult, half-mile trail through the Mission Hills Open Space, is located across from Pioneer Park.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2025
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Attorney Nicole Blank Becker, who represents R. Kelly, told Fox News Digital that jurors, just like anyone else, have a difficult time separating emotions from charges.—
Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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Sun Sentinel Asking Eric: My son begged us not to bring up our grievance to his touchy in-laws His wife’s parents make all the holiday plans, and we’re never invited.—
South Florida Sun Sentinel,
Sun Sentinel,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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In Mind For startups, achieving more with less can be tough.—
John Hall,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
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The vote took place against an increasingly violent backlash to the Trump administration's tough immigration policies.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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Her tone is free-associative, irritable and rat-a-tat.—
Alexandra Jacobs,
New York Times,
1 June 2025
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When an owner is distracted or irritable from work stress, the dog notices.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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One is her ex, the struggling, somewhat tetchy actor/caterer John, played by Chris Evans.—
Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2025
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The first takes us back to January 2023 and the first leg of a tetchy Carabao Cup semi-final against Southampton, whose Duje Caleta-Car is shown a red card late on.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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At the apotheosis of technical wizardry, Vacheron Constantin debuted the most complicated wristwatch in the world, the Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication-La Première.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
15 June 2025
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The movie centers on a New York City matchmaker caught between Mr. Perfect and her complicated ex. Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal lead the cast.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Attempts to stem the flow of materials that could aid Kim's nuclear program became even more problematic last year when Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have extended the mandate of a panel of experts enforcing sanctions on North Korea.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
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And if that decline becomes problematic, it will likely be tied to physical decline that makes an LTIR exit viable.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ticklish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ticklish. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
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