touching 1 of 3

Definition of touchingnext
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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
Louisiana is implementing new fines for touching cell phones while driving. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026 Levy, whose father Eugene Levy, also starred in the show and worked with O'Hara on many other occasions throughout her career, shared a sweet selfie of himself and O'Hara at an awards show on Instagram, along with a touching tribute to her. Meg Walters, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
The results revealed lower leaf damage and lower anthocyanin accumulation when plants were physically touching each other. New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026 Yiming landed low and steadied himself by reaching out and touching the snow. Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for touching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touching
Adjective
  • The federal agency is embarking on the Los Angeles Coastal Area Special Resource Study, which focuses on the coastline and adjacent areas along Santa Monica Bay from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance Beach, including areas around Ballona Creek, as well as San Pedro.
    Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Freestyle skiing adds dual moguls Freestyle skiing is bringing in dual moguls for women and men — basically the same sort of judging based on technique, flips and twists, plus speed, as the existing moguls event, but with two athletes going down the hill in adjacent lanes.
    Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Testimony is also likely to include emotional stories from those who were in the school that day.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Romero does not have the tactical or emotional discipline required to be an effective captain.
    Jay Harris, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
  • Well, at least there’s a Super Bowl ad that addresses the frustration many may be feeling, courtesy of the company that provides pills for hair loss, weight loss and libido loss.
    Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Glenn was thrilled for the work her teammates put in and honest about not physically feeling well Sunday night.
    Brittany Ghiroli, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The partisan divide over the Super Bowl halftime show is affecting Floridians’ viewing plans.
    Anthony Man, Miami Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Bad Bunny's political stance on issues affecting Puerto Rico, specifically, and the Latino community has been firm since the start.
    Pamela Avila, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Including playoffs, Mayfield turned the ball over more than anyone else from 2023 through 2024, marring an otherwise fantastic two seasons in Tampa Bay.
    Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • An optional front rack on both models adds instant utility without marring the retro-fantastic looks.
    William Roberson, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As for the rental’s neighbors, the regulations, if approved, also stipulate that a short-term rental’s owner send a letter by mail to adjoining property owners informing them that the residence has been approved as a short-term rental at least one week before the first rental in a calendar year.
    Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
  • But the town adjoining the base, Delta Junction, is small (with a 2020 population of 918) and has only a handful of food stores and restaurants.
    Davis Winkie, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Recently, high school students have been exposed to protests concerning women’s health care, medical costs, DOGE slashing government departments and the ruthless actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The files are not findings of guilt, and some critics have raised concerns about releasing confidential and uncorroborated material concerning those who have not been charged with a crime.
    Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Touching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touching. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on touching

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