ticklish
2 synonyms and 1 antonym for ticklish, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Easily made to laugh or squirm when touched lightly; sensitive to tickling.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Easily made to laugh or squirm when touched lightly; sensitive to tickling.
“He's extremely ticklish under his arms.”
2. adj
Requiring careful, delicate handling; touchy or tricky to deal with.
“Negotiating the merger was a ticklish business for both companies.”
Opposites
How to use ticklish
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a ticklish situation
ticklish feet
a ticklish question
Etymology
From "tickle" plus the adjective-forming suffix "-ish."
Full origin of ticklish →Frequently asked questions
What does “ticklish” mean?
The word “ticklish” means easily made to laugh or squirm when touched lightly; sensitive to tickling. In plain terms, sensitive to being tickled, or (for situations) delicate and requiring careful handling.
How do you pronounce “ticklish”?
“Ticklish” is pronounced TIHK-lihsh (/ˈtɪk(ə)lɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ticklish” in a sentence?
Here is “ticklish” used in a sentence: “He's extremely ticklish under his arms.”
What part of speech is “ticklish”?
“Ticklish” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “ticklish” have?
“Ticklish” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: easily made to laugh or squirm when touched lightly; sensitive to tickling.
