touchy

[tuhch-ee]

adjective

touchier, touchiest 

1. apt to take offense on slight provocation; irritable.

   He is very touchy when he's sick.

   Synonyms: cranky, snappish, edgy, irascible, testy

2. requiring caution, tactfulness, or expert handling; precarious; risky.

   a touchy subject; a touchy situation.

3. sensitive to touch.

4. easily ignited, as tinder.

touchy

/ ˈtʌtʃɪ /

adjective

1. easily upset or irritated; oversensitive

2. extremely risky

3. easily ignited

Other Word Forms

• touchily adverb
• touchiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of touchy¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; variant of techy ² (a variant of tetchy ( def. ) ), by association with touch

Synonym Study

See irritable.

Example Sentences

China is especially touchy about Taiwan, the self-governed island that Beijing claims as part of its territory.

Read more on BBC

One touchy subject he doesn’t evade: the push for racial diversity in orchestras.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

After all, this conversation isn’t totally unlike one you might have with a potential roommate, even if familial obligations make it a bit touchier.

Read more on MarketWatch

Unreported is the touchier issue of the number of Americans who have been desperately trying to get a second passport, especially since the last election.

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He would know well that this is a touchy subject for some in Lionsland, most notably the great Willie John McBride, who is not on board with so many 'foreigners' playing for the Lions.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• delicate 
• dicey 
• hypersensitive 
• jumpy 
• precarious 
• risky 
• sensitive 
• testy 
• ticklish 
• tricky 
• uptight 
• volatile