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
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
Read the full Virgo Daily Horoscope Libra (September 23 - October 22)
Relationships can be touchy today.
—
USA TODAY, 31 Dec. 2024
Problems in Pennsylvania Pennsylvanians had already revealed themselves to be touchy about federal tax obligations.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Evans and her bridesmaid, Emma Savage, were so touchy in the pics that even the bride's son was confused over who got married that day.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
This isn't always a bad thing; one pilot's instability is often another's idea of extreme agility, and in the era of the dogfight, the ability to turn on a dime was such an enormous advantage that some of the best aircraft were notoriously touchy at the stick.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 1 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for touchy 
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USA TODAY, 31 Dec. 2024
Problems in Pennsylvania Pennsylvanians had already revealed themselves to be touchy about federal tax obligations.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Evans and her bridesmaid, Emma Savage, were so touchy in the pics that even the bride's son was confused over who got married that day.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
This isn't always a bad thing; one pilot's instability is often another's idea of extreme agility, and in the era of the dogfight, the ability to turn on a dime was such an enormous advantage that some of the best aircraft were notoriously touchy at the stick.
—David Szondy, New Atlas, 1 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for touchy
Dictionary Entries Near touchy
Cite this Entry
“Touchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touchy. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
touchy
adjective
touchier; touchiest
1
: easily hurt or insulted
2
: calling for tact or careful handling
a touchy subject
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