touching 1 of 3

adjective

ˈtə-chiŋ How to pronounce touching (audio)
Definition of touchingnext
1
as in adjacent
having a border in common touching lots in the housing development will eventually be separated by hedges for privacy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in emotional
having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies a touching movie about two lost animals who try to find their way home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

touching

2 of 3

preposition

as in regarding
having to do with there has been an objection touching the last of the proposed new bylaws

Synonyms & Similar Words

touching

3 of 3

verb

present participle of touch
1
as in feeling
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
2
as in affecting
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 marring
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 adjoining
to be adjacent to our property touches theirs right where that big elm tree is

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in concerning
to be the business or affair of I don't think this decision touches you, so butt out

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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
In France, the National Rally party of Marine Le Pen—who is notably obsessed with cats—has talked up the healing power of touching animals (among other such positions) but will not forswear foie gras. —Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2026 Most recently, the monarch donned the Celtic Knot brooch for a visit to one of London's most famous liveries in what amounted to a touching tribute to her late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II. —Emma Banks, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
In a police interview, Jones denied touching the girl or blowing smoke in her face but admitted the girl was being held in the home. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026 The situation has struck a chord with fans and observers far beyond the group’s immediate community, touching on issues of artist welfare, representation and the treatment of Black women in pop music. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for touching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touching
  1. adjacent
  2. emotional
  3. regarding
  4. feeling
  5. affecting
  6. marring
  7. adjoining
  8. concerning
Adjective
  • ZettaJoule would build the ZJ0 reactor adjacent to the TEES Nuclear Engineering & Science Center in College Station where the agency already has two research reactors.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Mar. 2026
  • The Fontaine sits adjacent to the main stretches and perfectly mirrors that Old World look with a dose of modern shine.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026
Definition of adjacent
Adjective
  • Seitz said the men had assaulted him, and that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and deputies had violated his civil rights, inflicted emotional stress, defamed him and conspired to keep the matter quiet.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026
  • With Spoelstra appreciative of the emotional drain of the experience, as well as the eventual exhilaration.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
Definition of emotional
Preposition
  • Metro Police detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting, and are in contact with the District Attorney’s Office regarding charging decisions.
    — Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Was any decision made regarding reducing Partey’s media obligations?
    — James McNicholas, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Definition of regarding
Verb
  • Training for races, Sarah could count on warming up and feeling better about running after a couple miles.
    — Gerald Witt, AJC.com, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Lilian suspected that the Hazels of the world would often be reminded by their elders to be grateful and happy, as though gratitude would guarantee happiness, or else a happy façade would take the sting off that onerous task of feeling grateful.
    — Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Definition of feeling
Verb
  • Airlines around the world have been forced to cancel flights through multiple cities in the area, affecting thousands of global travelers.
    — Karla Cripps, CNN Money, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Snowstorms in January and February disrupted oil refinery operations and production, affecting pricing.
    — Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 2 Mar. 2026
Definition of affecting
Verb
  • The demoralizing graffiti marring the main entrance to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 360 Lenox Ave.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate, along with Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren, were ejected for fighting, marring what was an intriguing game between the top team in the Eastern Conference and the one featuring the NBA’s longest current win streak.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of marring
Verb
  • Accessibility Massive Caesars does accessibility right with ramps adjoining its various levels, accessible guest rooms with lots of space for power wheelchairs, and moveable chairs at slots machines and table games.
    — Andrea Bennett, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Further, nearby Walmart, Stop & Shop supermarket, Comfort Inn, and adjoining Motel 6 drive consistent traffic to the area, according to Marcus & Millichap.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of adjoining
Verb
  • Minutes before the 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School, administrators and officers went to intercept a freshman student named Colt Gray, whose concerning comments that morning had raised several red flags.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Liverpool had raced into a 3-0 first-half lead but showed concerning vulnerability in defence all game, and were ultimately grateful to a late Axel Disasi own goal to settle their nerves.
    — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Definition of concerning

Browse Nearby Words

touchiness
touching
touching base (with)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Touching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touching. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on touching

Nglish: Translation of touching for Spanish Speakers

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