touchy
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for touchy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Easily upset or offended; quick to take offense.
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.
Antonyms
How to use touchy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a touchy subject
touchy about
touchy situation
Etymology
A variant of the older word tetchy ("easily irritated"), reshaped over time under the influence of touch.
Full origin of touchy →Frequently asked questions
What does “touchy” mean?
The word “touchy” means easily upset or offended; quick to take offense. In plain terms, easily annoyed or offended, or (of a topic) sensitive and best approached carefully.
How do you pronounce “touchy”?
“Touchy” is pronounced TUHT-shee (/ˈtʌt͡ʃi/ in IPA).
How do you use “touchy” in a sentence?
Here is “touchy” used in a sentence: “He's a bit touchy about his height, so don't joke about it.”
What part of speech is “touchy”?
“Touchy” is an adjective.
Is “touchy” a common word?
“Touchy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “touchy” have?
“Touchy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: easily upset or offended; quick to take offense.
Related words
touchy-feely
