touch 1 of 2

verb

ˈtəch How to pronounce touch (audio)
Definition of touchnext
1
as in to feel
to come into bodily contact with (something) so as to perceive a slight pressure on the skin be careful not to touch this pan—it's still hot

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2
as in to influence
to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response your speech on the true meaning of patriotism touched me deeply

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to taint
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable unfortunately, his insufferable arrogance tends to touch even the good deeds that he does

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4
as in to join
to be adjacent to our property touches theirs right where that big elm tree is

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5
as in to affect
to be the business or affair of I don't think this decision touches you, so butt out

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touch

2 of 2

noun

1
as in contact
the state or fact of being able to exchange information regarding one's current situation everyone promised to keep in touch over the summer

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2
as in splash
a very small amount added just a touch of parsley to the dish

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in feature
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind each designer has his or her own personal touches

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4
as in hint
an almost imperceptible sign of something a touch of irritation tinged his voice as the candidate fielded yet another question about his personal finances

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb touch differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of touch are affect, impress, influence, strike, and sway. While all these words mean "to produce or have an effect upon," touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming.

plants touched by frost
his emotions were touched by her distress

When can affect be used instead of touch?

The words affect and touch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction.

the sight affected her to tears

Where would impress be a reasonable alternative to touch?

The meanings of impress and touch largely overlap; however, impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect.

only one of the plans impressed him

When could influence be used to replace touch?

The synonyms influence and touch are sometimes interchangeable, but influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior).

our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing

When is strike a more appropriate choice than touch?

While in some cases nearly identical to touch, strike, similar to but weaker than impress, may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation.

struck by the solemnity of the occasion

When is it sensible to use sway instead of touch?

Although the words sway and touch have much in common, sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action.

politicians who are swayed by popular opinion

How does the verb touch differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of touch are affect, impress, influence, strike, and sway. While all these words mean "to produce or have an effect upon," touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming.

plants touched by frost
his emotions were touched by her distress

When can affect be used instead of touch?

The words affect and touch are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction.

the sight affected her to tears

Where would impress be a reasonable alternative to touch?

The meanings of impress and touch largely overlap; however, impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect.

only one of the plans impressed him

When could influence be used to replace touch?

The synonyms influence and touch are sometimes interchangeable, but influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior).

our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing

When is strike a more appropriate choice than touch?

While in some cases nearly identical to touch, strike, similar to but weaker than impress, may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation.

struck by the solemnity of the occasion

When is it sensible to use sway instead of touch?

Although the words sway and touch have much in common, sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action.

politicians who are swayed by popular opinion

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of touch
Verb
Weeks passed without sunlight touching their skin. —Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026 Energy prices have surged in the nearly two weeks since the conflict began, with the Brent crude international benchmark touching $100 a barrel Thursday. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
Pasta with wasabi cream was a solid dish, but the scallops crowning the noodles seemed a touch overcooked and under-seasoned. —Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 12 Mar. 2026 Cloth napkins are an old-school table touch that has become less common over the years, but these darling ones bring that timeless charm back in an easy, effortless way. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for touch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touch
  1. feel
  2. influence
  3. taint
  4. join
  5. affect
  6. contact
  7. splash
  8. feature
Verb
  • This flowery felt iteration from fall 1999 proves that a good silhouette is a blank canvas for any creative director’s vision (just take a look at the latest renditions by Maria Grazia Chiuri, hot off the 2026 runway).
    — Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Because Buckley has short hair, a chignon or updo was not an option—but combed neatly back with a side part, clearing the face, feels like a very Grace Kelly detail.
    — Ana Serrano, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of feel
Verb
  • Beane is the progenitor of the Moneyball movement, the search for inefficiency in roster building that, today, has influenced every Major League Baseball front office.
    — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Deep and smoky with impressive control and just a touch of Etta James rasp, Spiro’s is a voice not so much influenced by jazz legends like Winehouse or Nina Simone but rather a direct descendant.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of influence
Verb
  • Once a sky-blue democracy is restored, may Trump’s days of infamy be ruled illegitimate and his name and legacy duly tainted by all of history, darkly blackened or cautiously reddened in the honest records that this twerp and his twisted cohorts have conspired so heinously to whitewash.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Is there something tainted or cursed about this place?
    — Kennedy French, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026
Definition of taint
Verb
  • When Georgia became a candidate to join the European Union in 2023 — which could help minimize shipping and import costs — the EU warned that the bills had hurt its chances.
    — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Pickett, once the signing becomes official, will join a quarterback group that includes starter Bryce Young and incumbent backup Andy Dalton.
    — Mike Kaye Updated March 9, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of join
Verb
  • Be sure to keep those affected in the loop, so everyone understands the overall plan and the specific next step.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026
  • If someone is affected by heat, immediately transfer them to a cool and shaded area.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of affect
Noun
  • Martin said attorneys had been in contact with Jiménez after his arrest in late September.
    — Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong declined to comment on Sunday, when asked if there’d been any contact between Australian officials and the Iranian players.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of contact
Noun
  • The Kansas City Chiefs’ reshaping of their running backs room did not end with splash free-agent signing Kenneth Walker.
    — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Stung by his firing from The Lovely Bones, Wahlberg turns down The Fighter, thinking the film won’t be a big enough splash to turn his career around.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of splash
Noun
  • Due to its open-source, unrestricted, and autonomous operating features, the project quickly spread after its release and has been regarded as one of the most accessible AI agent projects.
    — , CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
  • This year’s best Canadian feature prize went to Blue Heron, the coming-of-age drama written and directed by Sophy Romvari.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of feature

Phrases Containing touch

Browse Nearby Words

tot (up)
touch
touchable
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Cite this Entry

“Touch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touch. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on touch

Nglish: Translation of touch for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about touch

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