touchy

USAGE SUMMARY

'touchy' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is easily angered, offended, or upset. For example: "The customer was very touchy, so I handled the situation as delicately as possible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

What an incredibly touchy age ours is!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

How many Russians fled?" New books are lighter on the AK-47 as a teaching aid but as in Israel and Palestine, the question of how to present recent history has been a touchy one.The Afghan authorities say they want to present the history of the past three decades merely as a series of events.

The Economist

Mr Emanuel also wants to encourage more private investment in the city's infrastructure, but its left-leaning voters are touchy about anything that smacks of privatisation.

The Economist

Rebuilding is a touchy issue; homeowners whose houses were damaged by the storm do not, understandably, want to take on the additional stress of moving.

The Economist

Immigration is already a touchy issue among Singaporeans: having increased the population substantially in recent years, the government is now planning on boosting it further, from 4.5m to 6m.

The Economist

In a polity where caste affinity matters to voters more than ideology or rectitude, that means a lot.Yet that is not the main reason why for all Mr Veerappan's alleged murders of some 120 policemen, forest officials and others the authorities in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are treating him more like a touchy potentate than a criminal.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

At some point during the Romney Fourth of July festivities at one of their Downton Abbeys, which included feebly trying to define his penal-tax problem, and jet-skiing fully clothed, Mitt and Ann Romney found some time to give yet another out-of-touchy-feely interview – this time, out of the Fox hole and with CBS news.

The Guardian - Opinion

He writes: Guardian They call themselves "a movement" seeking to end the conflict in Uganda and stop the abduction of children for use as child soldiers, but behind the slick website and the touchy-feely talk about "changing the course of human history", there's a hard-nosed money-making operation led by US filmmakers and accountants, commuication experts, lobbyists and salespeople.

The Guardian

The answer was a stark reminder of the daily reality of combat, but also a long way from the post-Princess Diana, touchy-feely monarchy that a traumatised royal family sought to project.

The Guardian

And the touchy-feely Republican convention in Philadelphia, with its blind mountain-climber and American-Samoan wrestling champion?But in the past few months everything has conspired to keep Mr Bush from moving to the centre.

The Economist

The city is now going in for more touchy-feely stuff mediation between neighbours, intensive support for troubled youths and leaflets encouraging parents to read to their children at night.Similar initiatives are under way in Camden, a London borough notorious for tough policies.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing potentially controversial subjects, acknowledge that the topic is "touchy" to set a tone of caution and respect.

Common error

Avoid using "touchy" to dismiss someone's genuine concerns. While a subject may be "touchy", it doesn't invalidate legitimate feelings or experiences.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "touchy" primarily functions to qualify a noun, indicating that the noun (either a person, subject, or situation) is easily affected, sensitive, or requires careful handling. Ludwig shows that "touchy" is used to describe things that can easily become problematic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "touchy" is a versatile adjective used to describe something or someone that is easily offended, sensitive, or requires delicate handling. As Ludwig AI confirms, "touchy" is a correct and commonly used word in written English. It frequently appears in News & Media contexts, indicating its relevance in discussions about sensitive topics. Related terms include "sensitive", "delicate", and "oversensitive", each with slightly different nuances. When using "touchy", it's important to be mindful of the context and avoid using it in a way that dismisses genuine concerns or feelings. Recognize that while a subject may be "touchy", that doesn't invalidate the feelings or experiences of others. Using "touchy" appropriately can signal awareness and respect, but misusing it can be offensive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sensitive

Implies easily affected by external factors or emotions.

oversensitive

Suggests an exaggerated or disproportionate level of sensitivity.

easily offended

Highlights the tendency to take offense at minor or unintentional slights.

thin-skinned

Describes someone who is easily hurt by criticism or disapproval.

irritable

Indicates a tendency to become easily annoyed or angered.

volatile

Suggests a proneness to sudden and unpredictable changes of mood or behavior.

delicate

Implies a need for careful and tactful handling.

precarious

Highlights the instability or risk associated with a situation.

ticklish

Describes a subject that needs to be handled with caution or care.

difficult

Points to the challenging nature of a subject or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "touchy" in a sentence?

You can use "touchy" to describe a subject that requires careful handling, as in, "Politics can be a "touchy subject"." It can also describe a person who is easily offended.

What can I say instead of "touchy"?

Alternatives to "touchy" include "sensitive", "delicate", or "oversensitive", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to describe someone as "touchy"?

It's appropriate when someone is easily offended or upset. However, use caution, as calling someone "touchy" can itself be "offensive".

What's the difference between "touchy" and "sensitive"?

"Sensitive" generally implies a heightened awareness or understanding of emotions, while "touchy" suggests a tendency to be easily offended or upset. Sensitivity doesn't necessarily indicate reactivity while touchiness does.