Definitions

touchy

[tuhch-ee] / ˈtʌtʃ i /

ADJECTIVE

easily offended

Synonyms

STRONGEST

delicate dicey hypersensitive jumpy precarious risky sensitive testy ticklish tricky uptight volatile

WEAK

bad-tempered bundle of nerves cantankerous captious choleric crabbed cranky cross grouchy grumpy hazardous irascible irritable mean ornery oversensitive peevish perturbable pettish petulant querulous quick-tempered splenetic surly temperamental thin-skinned unpredictable unsafe wired up wound-up

Antonyms

STRONG

calm collected easy easygoing insensitive laid-back unflappable

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Dealings with Saudi Arabia have been a touchy subject in Hollywood since the 2018 murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 19, 2025

Apparently veterans are very touchy about changing that and Trump seems to have dropped it.

From Salon • May 28, 2025

“They have to get it legally approved and it’s touchy in terms of what they can use,” Sahai said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2025

In most touchy situations where she’s called the play, the numbers moved because people trusted her instincts.

From Slate • Aug. 19, 2024

The old man shook his head, wearing, for a moment, the same touchy, meditating frown of the fretful and disapproving old woman.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Vocabulary lists containing touchy

The Catcher in the Rye

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life

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The Battle of the Labyrinth

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!