touchiness

noun

Definition of touchinessnext
as in sensitivity

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Example Sentences

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 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
  1. sensitivity
  2. rudeness
  3. hostility
  4. animosity
  5. unfriendliness
  6. antagonism
  7. antipathy
  8. fussiness
Noun
  • But researchers told me that the qualities women now value more than ever—sensitivity, openness, communication skills—are not typically ingrained in men from childhood.
    — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
  • As for headlight alignment, the higher intensities and contrasts of LED lights mean greater sensitivity to misalignment than halogen lights.
    — Matthew MacConnell, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of sensitivity
Noun
  • 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
  • Tell her about the long, unwelcome chats, the bullying and the rudeness.
    — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
Definition of rudeness
Noun
  • On the obverse of this hostility is a genuine love of life, at least in some of its forms.
    — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Given the extent of the disruption to oil exports from the Middle East since the start of hostilities between Washington and Tehran, most of the hikes announced by OPEC+ since March have had a negligible impact on the physical crude market.
    — Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of hostility
Noun
  • Whether by carrot or stick — and there’s still no definitive reporting on which — the animosity between Iran and the UAE has been easing.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 29 July 2026
  • This demand comes despite rising public animosity towards new data center construction, driven by local concerns surrounding strained power grids and rising electrical costs.
    — Paxton Honerkamp, CNBC, 26 July 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
  • But the trash-talking and, especially, antagonism over race and ethnicity is gratuitous and needlessly divisive.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The match took place against a background of antagonism between the nations, heightened by Argentina's recent semifinal win over England at the World Cup.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 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
  • As the name suggests, Phillips Avent’s silicone pacifiers help soothe babies’ suckling reflex and tame fussiness almost instantly.
    — Melissa Willets, Parents, 1 July 2026
  • Despite their bad reputation for fussiness, modern varieties of this flower offer the disease resistance and performance that today's gardeners seek.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2026
Definition of fussiness

Browse Nearby Words

touches (upon)
touchiness
touching
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Cite this Entry

“Touchiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touchiness. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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