touchier; touchiest
1
: marked by readiness to take offense on slight provocation
he's a little touchy about his past
2
: calling for tact, care, or caution in treatment
a touchy subject
3
a
of a body part : acutely sensitive or irritable
b
of a chemical : highly explosive or inflammable
touchily adverb
touchiness noun

Examples of touchy in a Sentence

Don't be so touchy. I was just kidding. watch what you say around him, as he's very touchy about every little thing
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The sound is good enough to get your groove on, while battery life of up to 10 hours per charge makes up for their touchy controls and relative lack of fancy extras. Simon Hill, Wired News, 12 July 2025 As the moon and Chiron clash, addressing a touchy relationship issue provides healing. Usa Today, USA Today, 3 July 2025 That remains a politically touchy issue in the U.K., seen by some Brexiteers as inching back toward free movement. Sylvia Hui, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025 Ahead of the series' June 18 premiere, Lind, 23, sat down with PEOPLE to discuss the series, which marked her first time playing the lead, and even just the suggestion of the goodbye scenes seemed to be a touchy subject. Julia Moore, People.com, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for touchy

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of touchy was in 1602

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Touchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touchy. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

touchy

adjective
touchier; touchiest
1
: easily hurt or insulted
2
: calling for tact or careful handling
a touchy subject

More from Merriam-Webster on touchy

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