touchy
adjective
ˈtə-chē 
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
touchily
ˈtə-chə-lē
adverb touchiness
ˈtə-chē-nəs
noun 
Synonyms
- huffy
- tetchy
- thin-skinned
- ticklish
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 While the harmony-seeking Libra Moon opposes touchy Chiron, we might be conflicted about asserting ourselves. 
Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2022 After these two basics, the touchy question of how much winemakers manipulate their wines becomes crucial. John Mariani, Forbes, 4 Aug. 2022 The two-time NBA champion is currently in the middle of a touchy situation with his team after requesting to be traded following a disappointing season. Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 2 Aug. 2022 The studio had a very different notion of what the music should be, and David was really touchy about it. Keaton Bell, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2022 The large North American smartphone maker isn’t alone among global brands in being touchy about its supplier relationships. Yang Jie, WSJ, 4 Mar. 2022 Gun people, too, are very, very touchy about nomenclature. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 10 Jan. 2022 Even my tweets became a subject so touchy that most of my AsAm colleagues decided that was the time to avoid me or ice me out. Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 14 July 2022 Even my tweets became a subject so touchy that most of my AsAm colleagues decided that was the time to avoid me or ice me out. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 14 July 2022 See More
Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2022 After these two basics, the touchy question of how much winemakers manipulate their wines becomes crucial. John Mariani, Forbes, 4 Aug. 2022 The two-time NBA champion is currently in the middle of a touchy situation with his team after requesting to be traded following a disappointing season. Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 2 Aug. 2022 The studio had a very different notion of what the music should be, and David was really touchy about it. Keaton Bell, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2022 The large North American smartphone maker isn’t alone among global brands in being touchy about its supplier relationships. Yang Jie, WSJ, 4 Mar. 2022 Gun people, too, are very, very touchy about nomenclature. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 10 Jan. 2022 Even my tweets became a subject so touchy that most of my AsAm colleagues decided that was the time to avoid me or ice me out. Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 14 July 2022 Even my tweets became a subject so touchy that most of my AsAm colleagues decided that was the time to avoid me or ice me out. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 14 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing touchy
Kids Definition
touchy
adjective
ˈtə-chē
touchier; touchiest
1
: easily hurt or insulted
She's touchy about her weight.
2
: calling for tact or careful handling
a touchy subject
touchy
adjective
1
as in sensitive
easily offended watch what you say around him, as he's very touchy about every little thing Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- sensitive
- tetchy
- irritable
- ticklish
- huffy
- thin-skinned
- hypersensitive
- oversensitive
- testy
- supersensitive
- peevish
- snappish
- irascible
- grouchy
- petulant
- grumpy
- waspish
- cantankerous
- crotchety
- disagreeable
- tender
- snarky
- ornery
- crabby
- pettish
- snippy
- stroppy
- cross
- querulous
- choleric
- cranky
- curmudgeonly
- surly
- dyspeptic
- prickly
- bilious
- short-tempered
- stuffy
- raspy
- quick-tempered
- snippety
- perverse
- cross-grained
- ill-tempered
- ill-humored
- snappy
- ill-natured
- ratty
- bearish
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- amiable
- agreeable
- easygoing
- thick-skinned
- unconcerned
- relaxed
- good-natured
- carefree
- well-disposed
- good-tempered
- understanding
- obliging
- forbearing
- happy-go-lucky
- long-suffering
2
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling money is a touchy subject for many people and shouldn't be discussed casually Synonyms & Similar Words
- sensitive
- difficult
- tough
- complicated
- problematic
- delicate
- tricky
- problematical
- thorny
- sticky
- ticklish
- problem
- knotty
- hairy
- nasty
- serious
- tricksy
- complex
- hard
- prickly
- painful
- spiny
- troublesome
- dodgy
- catchy
- vexing
- involved
- intricate
- stubborn
- abstruse
- recondite
- worrisome
- abstract
- vexatious
- stressful
- inconvenient
- demanding
- troublous
- burdensome
- onerous
- exhausting
- oppressive
- scabrous
- exacting
- importunate
- discommoding
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- easy
- uncomplicated
- straightforward
- unproblematic
- simple
- painless
- undemanding
- effortless
- manageable
3
as in combustible
capable of catching or being set on fire the experiment involves the use of some touchy chemicals, so caution is required Synonyms & Similar Words
- combustible
- explosive
- inflammable
- flammable
- fiery
- ignitible
- combustive
- ignitable
- incendiary
- burnable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fireproof
- noninflammable
- nonflammable
- incombustible
- noncombustible
- nonburnable
- nonexplosive
- unburnable