1
as in feels
to come into bodily contact with (something) so as to perceive a slight pressure on the skin
be careful not to touch this pan—it's still hot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in affects
to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response
your speech on the true meaning of patriotism touched me deeply
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in taints
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
unfortunately, his insufferable arrogance tends to touch even the good deeds that he does
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in joins
to be adjacent to
our property touches theirs right where that big elm tree is
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in concerns
to be the business or affair of
I don't think this decision touches you, so butt out
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in splashes
a very small amount
added just a touch of parsley to the dish
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in features
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind
each designer has his or her own personal touches
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in hints
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of touches
Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 23 Feb. 2026
The United States' tensions with Iran, affordability and the economy, the upcoming high-impact midterm elections and the Supreme Court’s recent rebuke of his tariffs will likely be topics the presidents touches on as well.
—Sarah Beth Hensley, ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
In addition to the themes of food and generational gaps, the film also touches on other aspects of Vietnamese culture, as well as the cultural differences between North and South Vietnam.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2026
Remove the leaves from the base of your peony tulips, making sure no greenery touches the water in your vase to reduce mold growth.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
This feminine spirit touches modern gastronomy too.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Feb. 2026
But two people can carry the same $20,000 balance and experience completely different levels of financial strain depending on income, cash flow and how much of each payment actually touches the principal.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
And this touches what seems the central tension of the poem, that God doesn’t have to live with and experience the repercussions of their choices and actions; the speaker does.
—Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Any plates, cups, mugs, silverware, or casserole dishes must be cleaned before food touches the surface.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
Matt Finkel, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Conceived of as a living, breathing body, and accompanied by various soundtracks, the textile will unite the other works on display, including Entropy Altar, which generates random numbers, yielding unpredictable patterns and touches on the human need to find meaning in data.
—News Desk, Artforum, 2 Mar. 2026
Bar Fridman-Tell’s lush debut reconstructs the Welsh myth of Blodeuwedd, a woman made of flowers, into a modern dark fairytale with touches of Frankenstein.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
Jokic’s touches were met with boos after the incident.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
But what Mom noticed most were the thoughtful touches—yoga mats in the closet, dogs padding through the lobby of this pet-friendly property, bikes ready for guests to explore.
—Lisa A. Beach, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Accessibility The Noelle is an ADA-compliant hotel with additional thoughtful touches like a publicly accessible restroom, mobile check-in, and braille signage throughout the building.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026
Across categories, the fabrics are impressively soft, with thoughtful touches like smoothing seams, wide bands, and wireless construction.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2026
This week, a two-bedroom prewar in Jackson Heights with some modern touches and a railroad worth considering in Carroll Gardens.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
Less practical were the faux fur and feather touches pluming pumps—try to avoid these when spring showers are on the forecast.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 23 Feb. 2026
The United States' tensions with Iran, affordability and the economy, the upcoming high-impact midterm elections and the Supreme Court’s recent rebuke of his tariffs will likely be topics the presidents touches on as well.
—Sarah Beth Hensley, ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
In addition to the themes of food and generational gaps, the film also touches on other aspects of Vietnamese culture, as well as the cultural differences between North and South Vietnam.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2026
Remove the leaves from the base of your peony tulips, making sure no greenery touches the water in your vase to reduce mold growth.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
This feminine spirit touches modern gastronomy too.
—Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Feb. 2026
But two people can carry the same $20,000 balance and experience completely different levels of financial strain depending on income, cash flow and how much of each payment actually touches the principal.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
And this touches what seems the central tension of the poem, that God doesn’t have to live with and experience the repercussions of their choices and actions; the speaker does.
—Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Any plates, cups, mugs, silverware, or casserole dishes must be cleaned before food touches the surface.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
After amassing 219 rushing attempts over 14 games in his first season in Detroit, Montgomery's touches declined each of the next two seasons due to the emergence of Pro Bowl running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
—Matt Finkel, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Conceived of as a living, breathing body, and accompanied by various soundtracks, the textile will unite the other works on display, including Entropy Altar, which generates random numbers, yielding unpredictable patterns and touches on the human need to find meaning in data.
—News Desk, Artforum, 2 Mar. 2026
Bar Fridman-Tell’s lush debut reconstructs the Welsh myth of Blodeuwedd, a woman made of flowers, into a modern dark fairytale with touches of Frankenstein.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
Jokic’s touches were met with boos after the incident.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2026
But what Mom noticed most were the thoughtful touches—yoga mats in the closet, dogs padding through the lobby of this pet-friendly property, bikes ready for guests to explore.
—Lisa A. Beach, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Accessibility The Noelle is an ADA-compliant hotel with additional thoughtful touches like a publicly accessible restroom, mobile check-in, and braille signage throughout the building.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026
Across categories, the fabrics are impressively soft, with thoughtful touches like smoothing seams, wide bands, and wireless construction.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2026
This week, a two-bedroom prewar in Jackson Heights with some modern touches and a railroad worth considering in Carroll Gardens.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touches
Verb
-
With that visibility, Robinson feels a responsibility to newer creators who are still learning how the business works and how to navigate questions like pricing, partnerships and sustainability.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Of all the horror franchises out there, the Scream series is the one that feels most like being on the world’s most annoying hamster wheel.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Our work has documented how lack of access to accurate and affirming identification documents affects the health and well-being of this community.—
Noelle Martin,
The Conversation,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Of course this affects his finances, and his ability to buy a home.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The film centered on the Environmental Protection Agency encasing the Simpsons’ hometown of Springfield in a dome after Homer taints the area’s water supply.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Today's top stories NPR's senior political editor/correspondent Domenico Montanaro joins the newsletter today to break down the State of the Union address.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2026
-
In accepting a lengthy prison sentence, Mexicano joins dozens of others who felt the federal government’s wrath in 2021.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The series primarily concerns Flint's efforts to wrangle his crew and protect the lawlessness of the island New Providence, as well as quests to attain treasure across the high seas.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Bipartisan compromise needed for budget deal The current debate in Congress concerns Homeland Security's regular annual budget.—
Ignacio Calderon,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Lightweight cottons and linens feel airy and relaxed, while washable blends are practical in a space consistently exposed to cooking splatter, splashes, and humidity.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Kitchens and breakfast nooks live closer to steam, splashes, and open cabinet doors.—
Maria Williams,
Ascend Agency,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Former presidents and their spouses receive lifelong Secret Service protection under federal law, but there are no provisions guaranteeing the elite levels of private travel that were necessary features of their time in office.—
Meg Kinnard,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Beyond the auditorium roof, the studio employed other clever features to keep the building cool in Indore's hot climate, which sees temperatures of 86 °F - 104 °F (30 °C - 40 °C) for most of the year.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Between feminine floral notes, subtle citrus hints, warm earthy touches, and robust musky undertones, there are so many fragrance types to explore, and why settle on just one?—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Expect some hints dropped this week.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Touches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touches. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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