TOUCHY Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

touchy

adjective

ˈtə-chē

Definition of touchy

as in sensitive

easily offended watch what you say around him, as he's very touchy about every little thing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in difficult

requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling money is a touchy subject for many people and shouldn't be discussed casually

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in combustible

capable of catching or being set on fire the experiment involves the use of some touchy chemicals, so caution is required

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 touchy Still, the emotional tone could be slightly touchy this morning, especially around affection, validation and unreciprocated needs. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026 Manliness is a touchy subject these days, but there was a time when honorable combat was respected above the mere running of one’s mouth. — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026 Money is still somewhat of a touchy subject for Jason Bateman. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 June 2026 Either way, our somewhat unpredictable spring weather this year has made things a bit more touchy than usual, so please call ahead to verify availability before heading anywhere. — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for touchy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for touchy

Adjective

Those could include remote sensors, autonomous underwater vehicles and other equipment that requires persistent, low-visibility power in remote and sensitive offshore and coastal environments, as well as power resiliency for forward military bases.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
Musk’s officials infiltrated department after department, canceling contracts, firing employees, viewing sensitive data, and kneecapping programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as foreign aid.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of sensitive

Adjective

The losses linked to the demise of these groups are difficult to quantify, but participants and advocates say the impacts will reverberate across federal agencies for years.

— Katia Riddle, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
Ground surveys can provide more detailed information at a particular site, but covering an entire subway corridor that way would be difficult.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

The timing is combustible The launch lands weeks after Apple sued OpenAI, alleging theft of trade secrets and confidential information about upcoming products.

— Gabriel Alin Zainescu, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
In the first three years, combustible materials like firewood, dead leaves, branches, mulch and wood chips would have to be cleared 5 feet around homes.

— Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of combustible

Adjective

The presence of Luca Guadagnino’s name in the credits as a producer and Monica Bellucci’s entertaining but all-too-scant turn as the main character’s tetchy mother may attract offshore interest, especially among streamers in need of fresh content.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026
And then an ignominious end to her Indian Wells title defense, which saw her cursing at the crowd after a tense, tetchy loss to Kateřina Siniaková in her second match.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 2 June 2026

Definition of tetchy

Adjective

The war, and in particular Iran’s direct targeting of the Gulf, makes this approach a tough pill to swallow.

— Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
The conversation shifted from tougher ordinances toward resource allocation and investing in third spaces, which are places outside of work, school or home.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

Driven by artificial intelligence demand, memory chips are in short supply, pushing prices steadily higher and triggering explosive profit growth for Micron.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The pair of explosive devices were found Saturday in the boy’s home in the Orcutt area and safely recovered, sheriff’s officials said in a statement Wednesday.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of explosive

Adjective

Medical uses Buprenorphine’s principal use is in the treatment of OUD, a chronic condition characterized by problematic opioid use despite harmful consequences.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
The Fire Center said in its update that those conditions could be problematic for firefighters.

— Carly Sauvageau, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026