TOUCHINESS Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

touchiness

noun

Definition of touchiness

as in sensitivity

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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 touchiness This touchiness can extend to meditation researchers, most of whom are meditators themselves; academic meetings Britton attended would sometimes kick off with a meditation. — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026 Their drama is already stale, and between Nathan’s touchiness and Joe’s mistreatment of women, their fight over who is a better guy, a better seaman, a better worker, a better boyfriend is disengaging at best and aggravating at worst. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 23 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for touchiness

Noun

These give the driver real-time control over accelerator pedal sensitivity, wheel slip thresholds (with nine traction settings) and cornering agility.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
The authors concluded that improved laboratory sensitivity and statistical methods could help agencies better interpret drinking-water monitoring results.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of sensitivity

Noun

But the opposition is steeped in that same monotone rudeness.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
The once-vaunted values of public life are now reduced to the lower standards of private life—venality, vulgarity, rudeness, incontinence, and ignorance.

— Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

Definition of rudeness

Noun

Hatred toward minorities is not new in America, but the recent surge in hostility aimed at Indian Americans is staggering.

— Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Riyadh said the discussions were aimed at keeping diplomatic channels open and preventing another escalation in hostilities.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of hostility

Noun

All of them are troubled by increasing animosity from their many political adversaries, especially because the series’ big bad, an immortal named Koschei the Deathless, seems to be stirring in mysterious ways.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026
Katrina, an erstwhile nemesis from her school days, discomfits her by showing only kindness rather than animosity.

— Malcolm Forbes, Christian Science Monitor, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of animosity

Noun

Add the pathetic reality that Illinois is the very definition of unfriendliness for business development and job creation, and the only thing Pritzker and his accomplices can campaign on is the vilification of Trump, facts be damned.

— Paul Miller, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Images accompanied by verbal descriptions of their generosity and kindness resulted in higher scores of facial attractiveness than when the same images were accompanied by negative traits like selfishness and unfriendliness.

— Sable Yong, TIME, 28 June 2024

Definition of unfriendliness

Noun

There’s no need to pay committed Republicans, while committed Democrats will see the offer as a bald monetization of politics that can deepen their antagonism.

— Kenneth Greene, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026
These are the reasons for antagonism to Mayor Levy, not hyper-partisanship.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of antagonism

Noun

The other is that Republicans’ antipathy towards vote-by-mail is waning.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026
Alexander Kazakov | Afp | Getty Images That Russia and China are seen as ideologically aligned on many geopolitical issues, with each sharing a traditional antipathy and distrust towards the West, and Washington.

— Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 20 May 2026

Definition of antipathy

Noun

Something common to the plans and schemes of crypto-anarchists is a certain Rube Goldberg fussiness.

— Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
The company falls squarely in the ultra-luxury tier while eschewing much of the fussiness that typifies other players in the space.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of fussiness

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touches (upon)

touchiness

touching

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Style

“Touchiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touchiness. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of touchiness

noun

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