Touchy
adjective
Easily upset or offended.
Be careful when bringing up politics, he's rather touchy about that subject.
Often appears as...
- touchy about something
- touchy subject
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Requiring careful or sensitive treatment.
The negotiations between the two countries are a touchy matter right now.
Often appears as...
- touchy matter
- touchy situation
adjective
Easily upset or offended.
Be careful when bringing up politics, he's rather touchy about that subject.
Often appears as...
- touchy about something
- touchy subject
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Requiring careful or sensitive treatment.
The negotiations between the two countries are a touchy matter right now.
Often appears as...
- touchy matter
- touchy situation
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Sensitivity
Use 'touchy' when dealing with topics that may provoke a strong emotional response.
Don't joke about his job loss; he's touchy about it.
Pro Tip 2/3Avoid Overuse
'Touchy' can be seen as negative; don't overuse it to describe people, or it may offend.
Calling someone 'touchy' repeatedly may strain your relationship.
Pro Tip 3/3Context Matters
Understanding the context is key. 'Touchy' isn't always about sensitivity but about specific triggers.
She's touchy about her artwork, so give critique gently.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Sensitivity
Use 'touchy' when dealing with topics that may provoke a strong emotional response.
Don't joke about his job loss; he's touchy about it.
Pro Tip 2/3Avoid Overuse
'Touchy' can be seen as negative; don't overuse it to describe people, or it may offend.
Calling someone 'touchy' repeatedly may strain your relationship.
Pro Tip 3/3Context Matters
Understanding the context is key. 'Touchy' isn't always about sensitivity but about specific triggers.
She's touchy about her artwork, so give critique gently.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Sensitivity
Use 'touchy' when dealing with topics that may provoke a strong emotional response.
Don't joke about his job loss; he's touchy about it.
Pro Tip 2/3Avoid Overuse
'Touchy' can be seen as negative; don't overuse it to describe people, or it may offend.
Calling someone 'touchy' repeatedly may strain your relationship.
Pro Tip 3/3Context Matters
Understanding the context is key. 'Touchy' isn't always about sensitivity but about specific triggers.
She's touchy about her artwork, so give critique gently.
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Video examples
Learning from dirty jobs...
Normally, I never do any research at all. But this is a touchy subject, and I work for the Discovery Channel, and we want to portray accurately whatever it is we do. And we certainly want to do it with a lot of respect for the animals. So I call the Humane Society and I say,
Video examples
How Do Giraffes MATE! PIPE...
So they are called ossicones. If you tell a giraffe keeper, well, why have they got horns? they're ossicones, we get a bit touchy about that. Ossicones, the males will use them for fighting other males, and the females use them to protect their young from predators.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 218 PIPE...
for dead certain about what's going on in the minds of our favorite cat characters and so it's always great to debate with you as to what's happening and yes with you this is a very touchy elephant you can see you now wants to know exactly what's happening with our
Video examples
Making sense of maps -...
transport and public transport here in Dublin is this somewhat touchy subject for everybody who does not know the public transport here in Dublin essentially we have the system of local buses that grew with the city for every
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 166 PIPE...
one of them gets it definitely the rest of them will you know gets infected because the Lions are very touchy they're very social cuts when they are playing and then these mites will be wandering off the bodies and then the
Video examples
Shereen El-Feki: How to...
Repealing a law isn't easy, and it's particularly difficult when it relates to touchy subjects like drugs and sex. But there's plenty you can do while that process is underway. One of the key points is to reform the police
Video examples
A flavorful field guide...
It's a little spicy, a little touchy. Hopefully the promise of a food reveal will get you all through it. And it is this. Explain to your friends that the way that we are eating is not sustainable.
Video examples
What foods did your...
How could an urban, educated woman like the same food as him? Later, I broached the subject with his father, and it turned out to be a mighty touchy affair. He said things like,
Video examples
Pablo Escobar's Hippos PIPE...
it could have been kept as he had it it's sad to see it like this Escobar was a troubling figure in Colombian history and dealing with his legacy is apt to be a touchy subject
Video examples
Jonathan Harris: The web...
A 37-year-old road worker. One of the more touchy political subjects in Bhutan
Video examples
Learning from dirty jobs...
Normally, I never do any research at all. But this is a touchy subject, and I work for the Discovery Channel, and we want to portray accurately whatever it is we do. And we certainly want to do it with a lot of respect for the animals. So I call the Humane Society and I say,
Video examples
How Do Giraffes MATE! PIPE...
So they are called ossicones. If you tell a giraffe keeper, well, why have they got horns? they're ossicones, we get a bit touchy about that. Ossicones, the males will use them for fighting other males, and the females use them to protect their young from predators.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 218 PIPE...
for dead certain about what's going on in the minds of our favorite cat characters and so it's always great to debate with you as to what's happening and yes with you this is a very touchy elephant you can see you now wants to know exactly what's happening with our
Video examples
Making sense of maps -...
transport and public transport here in Dublin is this somewhat touchy subject for everybody who does not know the public transport here in Dublin essentially we have the system of local buses that grew with the city for every
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 166 PIPE...
one of them gets it definitely the rest of them will you know gets infected because the Lions are very touchy they're very social cuts when they are playing and then these mites will be wandering off the bodies and then the
Video examples
Shereen El-Feki: How to...
Repealing a law isn't easy, and it's particularly difficult when it relates to touchy subjects like drugs and sex. But there's plenty you can do while that process is underway. One of the key points is to reform the police
Video examples
A flavorful field guide...
It's a little spicy, a little touchy. Hopefully the promise of a food reveal will get you all through it. And it is this. Explain to your friends that the way that we are eating is not sustainable.
Video examples
What foods did your...
How could an urban, educated woman like the same food as him? Later, I broached the subject with his father, and it turned out to be a mighty touchy affair. He said things like,
Video examples
Pablo Escobar's Hippos PIPE...
it could have been kept as he had it it's sad to see it like this Escobar was a troubling figure in Colombian history and dealing with his legacy is apt to be a touchy subject
Video examples
Jonathan Harris: The web...
A 37-year-old road worker. One of the more touchy political subjects in Bhutan
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Fatema Mernissi
Moroccan Activist
To understand the fanatic rejection of women's liberation in the Muslim world, one has to take into account the time factor. Most of us educated women have illiterate mothers. The conservative wave against women in the Muslim world is a defense mechanism against profound changes in both sex roles and the touchy subject of sexual identity.
Quote examples
Ayesha Curry
Canadian Actress
People don't realize it hurts my feelings when someone looks at my hair or my eyes, and says, 'But you're not actually black. You're black, but you're not black black, because your eyes are green.' I'm like, 'What? No, no, I'm definitely black.' Even some of my closest friends have said that. It's been a bit touchy for me.
Quote examples
Eugene Jarecki
American Director
If you watch the evening news, Dr. Kissinger is very often brought on to sort of be the statesman of his age and to reflect dispassionately on world events. And so a film challenging his legacy, a film that assesses charges that are quite grave against him, is something that is touchy for the media to show.
Quote examples
Colin Kaepernick
American Athlete
Its a touchy subject, 'cause I never want to take it there, where it seems like it's all about race. But I feel like that's something that comes along with the territory of being a black quarterback. When you have success - 'Oh, you're a freak athlete.' Not, 'Oh, you're a good quarterback.
Quote examples
Maya Moore
American Athlete
I think that any time you get into an area where it requires humility, and accountability, it's gonna get touchy. And so I understand the reality of when someone says something that requires you to look at yourself and change, it's not easy.
Quote examples
Kobe Bryant
American Basketball Player
The topic of leadership is a touchy one. A lot of leaders fail because they don't have the bravery to touch that nerve or strike that chord. Throughout my years, I haven't had that fear.
Quote examples
Michael Leunig
Australian Cartoonist
Humans are nervous, touchy creatures and can be easily offended. Many are deeply insecure. They become focused and energized by taking offence; it makes them feel meaningful and alive.
Quote examples
Angie Martinez
American Musician
I had a lot of respect for Biggie, and it was just a weird, kinda difficult thing. When I'm doing touchy interviews like that, I just try to be fair to both parties.
Quote examples
Jake Shears
American Musician
I've grown to love L.A. It was a really touchy transition. It was not the easiest. It took me some years to love it.
Quote examples
Xzibit
American Musician
Censorship is a touchy subject, all the way around.
Quote examples
Fatema Mernissi
Moroccan Activist
To understand the fanatic rejection of women's liberation in the Muslim world, one has to take into account the time factor. Most of us educated women have illiterate mothers. The conservative wave against women in the Muslim world is a defense mechanism against profound changes in both sex roles and the touchy subject of sexual identity.
Quote examples
Ayesha Curry
Canadian Actress
People don't realize it hurts my feelings when someone looks at my hair or my eyes, and says, 'But you're not actually black. You're black, but you're not black black, because your eyes are green.' I'm like, 'What? No, no, I'm definitely black.' Even some of my closest friends have said that. It's been a bit touchy for me.
Quote examples
Eugene Jarecki
American Director
If you watch the evening news, Dr. Kissinger is very often brought on to sort of be the statesman of his age and to reflect dispassionately on world events. And so a film challenging his legacy, a film that assesses charges that are quite grave against him, is something that is touchy for the media to show.
Quote examples
Colin Kaepernick
American Athlete
Its a touchy subject, 'cause I never want to take it there, where it seems like it's all about race. But I feel like that's something that comes along with the territory of being a black quarterback. When you have success - 'Oh, you're a freak athlete.' Not, 'Oh, you're a good quarterback.
Quote examples
Maya Moore
American Athlete
I think that any time you get into an area where it requires humility, and accountability, it's gonna get touchy. And so I understand the reality of when someone says something that requires you to look at yourself and change, it's not easy.
Quote examples
Kobe Bryant
American Basketball Player
The topic of leadership is a touchy one. A lot of leaders fail because they don't have the bravery to touch that nerve or strike that chord. Throughout my years, I haven't had that fear.
Quote examples
Michael Leunig
Australian Cartoonist
Humans are nervous, touchy creatures and can be easily offended. Many are deeply insecure. They become focused and energized by taking offence; it makes them feel meaningful and alive.
Quote examples
Angie Martinez
American Musician
I had a lot of respect for Biggie, and it was just a weird, kinda difficult thing. When I'm doing touchy interviews like that, I just try to be fair to both parties.
Quote examples
Jake Shears
American Musician
I've grown to love L.A. It was a really touchy transition. It was not the easiest. It took me some years to love it.
Quote examples
Xzibit
American Musician
Censorship is a touchy subject, all the way around.
Example 1 of 10
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