touching 1 of 3

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touching

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preposition

touching

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verb

present participle of touch
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word touching distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of touching are affecting, impressive, moving, pathetic, and poignant. While all these words mean "having the power to produce deep emotion," touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.

the touching innocence in a child's eyes

How are the words affecting and moving related as synonyms of touching?

Affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

an affecting deathbed reunion

When could impressive be used to replace touching?

While the synonyms impressive and touching are close in meaning, impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

an impressive list of achievements

When might moving be a better fit than touching?

The words moving and touching can be used in similar contexts, but moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.

a moving appeal for contributions

When can pathetic be used instead of touching?

The meanings of pathetic and touching largely overlap; however, pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

Where would poignant be a reasonable alternative to touching?

In some situations, the words poignant and touching are roughly equivalent. However, poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.

a poignant documentary on the homeless

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 touching
Adjective
Watch the video to see this touching reunion unfold! Ronnie Li, USA Today, 19 June 2025 The relationship between Ponzi and his wife Rose (performed by Candice Shedd-Thompson) is memorably touching. Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025 Gone but never forgotten: How to Train Your Dragon ends with a touching tribute to Gerard Butler's late mom. EW.com, 13 June 2025 The pinnacle of this is the new Rainbow Road, which is a transcendent experience for those touching wheels to the technicolor thoroughfare. Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for touching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touching
Adjective
  • This modern mode of transportation would usher in a golden age of motoring, and John Oosterhuis, an immigrant from the Netherlands, planned to take advantage by building the Dutch Mill Motel in 1951 adjacent to the new highway.
    Paul Eisenberg, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025
  • The flatland at the southern end is adjacent to the Lón Lagoon, which is separated from the North Atlantic Ocean by a beautiful black sand beach.
    Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Companies with genuinely supportive cultures describe their environment in specific terms, highlighting concrete benefits, career development opportunities and clear advancement paths rather than relying on emotional language.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Growing visibly emotional, Bartsch took in the audience and smiled through her tears.
    Nigel Smith, People.com, 23 June 2025
Preposition
  • The tragedy is still under investigation but concerns have been raised regarding congested airspace and understaffed air traffic control facilities at Reagan National.
    Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Critics of the deal have cited concerns about the intentions of Nippon Steel regarding continuing domestic production, particularly in blast furnaces.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • This helps your healthcare provider check for infections, kidney problems, or other issues affecting your bladder and urinary tract.
    Sayaka Blickenderfer, PhD, Health, 14 Mar. 2025
  • This helps your healthcare provider check for infections, kidney problems, or other issues affecting your bladder and urinary tract.
    Sayaka Blickenderfer, PhD, Health, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Bailey flashed a sweet jumper and impressive athleticism but struggled with his shot selection and had more turnovers than assists.
    Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 26 June 2025
  • The power couple were famously photographed riding a water-taxi ahead of their nuptials, which included an impressive guest list of A-list celebrities.
    Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Josh Blank, who played soccer at Elon University from 2016 to 2019, worked in the NFL office for four years before officially joining his dad’s company.
    Josh Kendall, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Collins is the third TCU player to enter the portal joining Vasean Allette and Isaiah Manning.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Nieman and Johnson will accommodate vendor booths, food trucks and the adjoining beer festival.
    Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2025
  • Its bombs—dropped in the middle of working hours—severely damaged the adjoining Shahid Moghaddas judicial complex, where prisoners are dragged before malevolent magistrates and fed into the machinery of the Revolutionary Court.
    Siamak Namazi, Time, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • The problem is that Flanagan—known for eerie but subtle horror films like Hush and Oculus and Netflix series like Midnight Mass and The Haunting of Hill House—puts too many overly earnest quotation marks around what should be the most moving scenes.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 6 June 2025
  • Perhaps the most moving part of the evening was the presentation of the third and final MOCA Legends Award to renowned architect Frank Gehry, who renovated the old warehouse which houses the MOCA Geffen.
    Hadley Meares, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025

Cite this Entry

“Touching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touching. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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