1
as in feels
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in affects
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in taints
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
unfortunately, his insufferable arrogance tends to touch even the good deeds that he does
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in joins
to be adjacent to
our property touches theirs right where that big elm tree is
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in concerns
to be the business or affair of
I don't think this decision touches you, so butt out
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in splashes
a very small amount
added just a touch of parsley to the dish
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in features
something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind
each designer has his or her own personal touches
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in hints
an almost imperceptible sign of something
a touch of irritation tinged his voice as the candidate fielded yet another question about his personal finances
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 touches
Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Planting Dignity in Every Backyard Food insecurity touches forty-four million Americans, thirteen million of them children.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
This is an industry that touches upon multiple sectors—including energy and cybersecurity—so compelling opportunities can be found in smaller stocks working behind the scenes to make this new age a reality.
—Tiz Gambacorta, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Architectural touches filter light and frame the views.
—Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2025
The film touches on identity and even identity politics.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Because Crooklyn touches on this, Lee thinks the film resonates with people.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
The concept touches on many of the topics driving political debate across the United States, from criminal justice reform and diversity, equity, and inclusion to affirmative action and immigration.
—John Scott Lewinski, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
If a player scores a penalty kick but accidentally touches the ball twice, they will be allowed to retake it.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2025
But the 6-person Wellness Farmhouse is where rustic charm meets indulgent touches.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Best Simple Set Known for merging sophisticated style with touches of local culture, the Edition hotels are great destinations for a modern and personalized stay.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2025
The dynamic speedster could get the first touches of his career against Abilene Christian.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025
The Vikings could aim to keep Jones fresh for the second half of the season and the playoffs by giving more touches to Mason over the first couple of months.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Mix it all up — tailored sober jackets with shimmery eveningwear fabrics; menswear silhouettes with classically feminine touches and treatments all blended together; retro and futurism.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
White oak flooring, cabinetry, and beams are paired with soft blues, neutrals, and touches of pink, including on the front door.
—Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
In last week’s season opener, Owens got 12 touches, including one reception.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Folks know that the injuries where nobody touches you are usually, probably the most serious ones.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Planting Dignity in Every Backyard Food insecurity touches forty-four million Americans, thirteen million of them children.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
This is an industry that touches upon multiple sectors—including energy and cybersecurity—so compelling opportunities can be found in smaller stocks working behind the scenes to make this new age a reality.
—Tiz Gambacorta, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Architectural touches filter light and frame the views.
—Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2025
The film touches on identity and even identity politics.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Because Crooklyn touches on this, Lee thinks the film resonates with people.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
The concept touches on many of the topics driving political debate across the United States, from criminal justice reform and diversity, equity, and inclusion to affirmative action and immigration.
—John Scott Lewinski, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
If a player scores a penalty kick but accidentally touches the ball twice, they will be allowed to retake it.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
With all of the appeal of a hiking boot in a smaller, lighter form factor, these Danner Trail 2650s pay homage to their beefier boot predecessors, just with some additional modern touches.
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2025
But the 6-person Wellness Farmhouse is where rustic charm meets indulgent touches.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Best Simple Set Known for merging sophisticated style with touches of local culture, the Edition hotels are great destinations for a modern and personalized stay.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2025
The dynamic speedster could get the first touches of his career against Abilene Christian.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025
The Vikings could aim to keep Jones fresh for the second half of the season and the playoffs by giving more touches to Mason over the first couple of months.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Mix it all up — tailored sober jackets with shimmery eveningwear fabrics; menswear silhouettes with classically feminine touches and treatments all blended together; retro and futurism.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
White oak flooring, cabinetry, and beams are paired with soft blues, neutrals, and touches of pink, including on the front door.
—Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
In last week’s season opener, Owens got 12 touches, including one reception.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touches
Verb
-
Meanwhile, the headphones, meant to unify the audience in a shared soundscape, instead isolate viewers into their glowing silos, which feels like an ironic choice for a show supposedly about communal grief.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The idea that new technology can flip the odds of catching a thief or recovering a child feels like progress.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Bush described this as a way to support employment, family ties, and stability, recognizing that reentry affects not just former prisoners but also public safety.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Employers counter that the cost of providing what unions want adversely affects their competitiveness in other states and nations and forces them to raise prices, reduce employment or even leave California to remain solvent.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Pinstripes joins countless other retailers shuttering doors Pinstripes is certainly not the first company to file for bankruptcy and shut its doors this year.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The anime joins a comedy starring Cannes Film Festival best actor winner Yakusho Koji and a biographical drama about Japan’s most controversial fortune-teller in Netflix’s anniversary slate.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The controversy, which concerns an endorsement deal Kawhi Leonard signed with Clippers’ sponsor Aspiration, has been discussed extensively.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The central story in the film concerns Scott Page, a gay man who helped broker viaticum deals.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The water-resistant outer material guards your essentials against splashes, while elastic straps and multiple pockets help keep your bottles upright.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Sep. 2025
-
And the American redstart — a jetblack little fellow with orange splashes — pretty much stopped breeding here in the early 2000s.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While these issues seem to have been caused by users’ misunderstanding of features, other, more nefarious security flaws have emerged.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Girarvs Entryway Shoe Bench with Cat Cabinet This 18-inch high bench is designed to store some items in plain sight, but also includes a few more subtle features that ramp up its unique factor.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Check out our hints and answers right here.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
For Driscoll, hints of trouble began even before the inauguration, the lawsuit alleges.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Those choices form the invisible curriculum that influences how students think, collaborate, and eventually lead as professionals and citizens.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Michaels then reflected on how the demographic of the show influences the casting and the changes.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Touches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touches. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share