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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of touches
David Phelan, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Usually, once Brooks chooses to go one-on-one, no one else touches the basketball.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
The series barely touches on the character’s background, but in the TV show, representation becomes a bigger feature.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 15 Jan. 2026
The conversation touches on details that only a fellow master filmmaker would likely notice.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 Jan. 2026
Shared surfaces can easily become contaminated, putting anyone who touches them at risk of infection.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Everything Martha Stewart touches ultimately ends up with great critical acclaim, and this serum will not be an exception.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
An evening-length piece about climate change certainly touches both, using dance to tell the fractured story of rising seas, melting polar ice caps and the collective, global responsibility to do something about it.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
So can Denver dial up McLaughlin’s usage in the run game, continue to get Harvey some touches out of the backfield and in the passing game and find the balance without being predictable?
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Valerie Marino, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Jan. 2026
Yet these touches are never extreme or imaginative or entertaining enough to match, say, the wild ride that was The Hunting Wives.
—Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
The 164-foot superyacht has eight spacious cabins that blend Midcentury Modern design with Indonesian touches, like ikat and teak.
—Gisela Williams, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
The rest became a race to 10 field goal attempts from his teammates in their limited touches.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
Finishing touches for Middleton’s look included a small DeMellier mocha suede and leather purse.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 8 Jan. 2026
Modern Equestrian Elegance Meets Bold Textiles Inspired by the timeless charm of the countryside, this look blends rustic equestrian touches with a refined, modern sensibility.
—Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026
Mosaic archways loom overhead, and the 240-seat dining room is awash with terra-cotta banquettes, sea-blue touches, and clay-toned neutral hues.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2025
With the sun setting earlier, a few cozy touches inside and outside your home can go a long way to boost your mood.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
This was designed to give something comfortable — the flexible FKM touches your skin— while maintaining a businesslike exterior.
—David Phelan, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Usually, once Brooks chooses to go one-on-one, no one else touches the basketball.
—Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
The series barely touches on the character’s background, but in the TV show, representation becomes a bigger feature.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 15 Jan. 2026
The conversation touches on details that only a fellow master filmmaker would likely notice.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 Jan. 2026
Shared surfaces can easily become contaminated, putting anyone who touches them at risk of infection.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Everything Martha Stewart touches ultimately ends up with great critical acclaim, and this serum will not be an exception.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
An evening-length piece about climate change certainly touches both, using dance to tell the fractured story of rising seas, melting polar ice caps and the collective, global responsibility to do something about it.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
So can Denver dial up McLaughlin’s usage in the run game, continue to get Harvey some touches out of the backfield and in the passing game and find the balance without being predictable?
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
The rooms Rooms in the Contemporary’s main tower were recently refurbished to feature touches from Disney’s The Incredibles franchise, which reflects the hotel’s midcentury theme.
—Valerie Marino, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Jan. 2026
Yet these touches are never extreme or imaginative or entertaining enough to match, say, the wild ride that was The Hunting Wives.
—Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
The 164-foot superyacht has eight spacious cabins that blend Midcentury Modern design with Indonesian touches, like ikat and teak.
—Gisela Williams, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
The rest became a race to 10 field goal attempts from his teammates in their limited touches.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
Finishing touches for Middleton’s look included a small DeMellier mocha suede and leather purse.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 8 Jan. 2026
Modern Equestrian Elegance Meets Bold Textiles Inspired by the timeless charm of the countryside, this look blends rustic equestrian touches with a refined, modern sensibility.
—Colleen Sullivan, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026
Mosaic archways loom overhead, and the 240-seat dining room is awash with terra-cotta banquettes, sea-blue touches, and clay-toned neutral hues.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2025
With the sun setting earlier, a few cozy touches inside and outside your home can go a long way to boost your mood.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touches
Verb
-
No matter where his work takes him, that foundation always feels like home.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
-
This combo of a fuzzy faux fur jacket and brown satin pants feels like the perfect ensemble for a winter wedding.—
Amber Rambharose,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Bird flu, a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus, affects poultry — including chickens, ducks and turkeys — and some wild bird species, including geese and shorebirds, the department said.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Kalani has hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, a form of brain injury that affects muscle tone and mobility.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Jan. 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
-
Even as the New York Yankees’ rivalry with the Boston Red Sox surpasses a century of heated matchups with countless players involved, the competition is continuously revived by each new player that joins one side or the other.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Acuña joins a promising group of young position players that also includes Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel and Chase Meidroth.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Section 4 concerns the removal of a president who is unable or unwilling to perform their duties.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
20 Jan. 2026
-
One of the most intriguing chapters concerns the origins of garden design.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Those bright white tees seem to be absolute stain magnets attracting coffee drips, spaghetti sauce spots, and salad dressing splashes.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Atlas is also built to withstand harsh conditions, operating reliably in temperatures from -4°F to 104°F, and is waterproofed to protect it from splashes on factory floors.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Products with special features, thoughtful add-ons, and tons of details are hot again in 2026.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Other features include high ceilings of 9 to 12 feet, modern kitchens and primary bathrooms with double vanities.—
Sarah Moreno,
Miami Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Looking for Tuesday’s Strands hints, spangram and answers?—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The bourbon vanilla French toast, with two thick slices of brioche bread, is soaked in a batter of eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, Kentucky bourbon, vanilla, orange and almond extracts, with hints of brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Touches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touches. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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