touchy-feely

adjective

ˌtə-chē-ˈfē-lē How to pronounce touchy-feely (audio)
Definition of touchy-feelynext
as in emotional
showing feeling freely she is too touchy-feely and he is too stiff-upper-lip for their relationship to ever work out

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 touchy-feely But these touchy-feely white parents were doing something right, because their kids — my classmates — had poise. — Jane Park, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026 If that strikes you as twee or downright silly, Olivia Newman‘s touchy-feely weepie is not on your wavelength. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 May 2026 Looser, more touchy-feely styles include gentle parenting and freestyle parenting. — ​wendy Wisner, Parents, 19 Aug. 2025 Excuse the cynicism, but this is the sort of combination of touchy-feely button-pushing and self-conscious peculiarity that’s meant to seem significant and profound that will bring out your inner rom-com Grinch. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for touchy-feely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for touchy-feely
  1. emotional
  2. affectionate
Adjective
  • Contreras, meanwhile, entered Tuesday's game after an emotional stretch.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • Humanitarian workers say the emotional toll is becoming increasingly visible inside temporary shelters.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Definition of emotional
Adjective
  • Cancer could be affectionate and chatty one moment, and withdrawn and irritable the next, with little to no explanation.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026
  • The couple were affectionate while walking the red carpet together as well as while inside the venue.
    — Sarah Sotoodeh , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
Definition of affectionate

Browse Nearby Words

touchy
touchy-feely
tough
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Cite this Entry

“Touchy-feely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touchy-feely. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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