ticklish

adjective

tick·​lish ˈti-k(ə-)lish How to pronounce ticklish (audio)
Synonyms of ticklishnext
1
: sensitive to tickling
2
: requiring delicate handling
a ticklish subject
3
a
: touchy, oversensitive
ticklish about his baldness
b
: easily overturned
a canoe is a ticklish craft
ticklishly adverb
ticklishness noun

Synonyms of ticklish

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Examples of ticklish in a Sentence

My feet are very ticklish. he's ticklish about his looks, so it's wisest to avoid the subject altogether
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
There’s a ticklish elusiveness to the portraits of Blume’s husbands in the book, and to those of her kids, Randy and Larry, as well. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2026 But all that interest, here, also can generate another ticklish dynamic. — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 8 May 2026 Transporting the patient 12 miles to Hartford Hospital would be ticklish. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2026 Rubbing underarm is selected as a target motion of robot because previous research suggests that this is the best way for making humans feel ticklish. — Erico Guizzo, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Oct. 2016 See All Example Sentences for ticklish

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ticklish was in 1581

Browse Nearby Words

tickleweed
ticklish
tickly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ticklish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ticklish. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ticklish

adjective
tick·​lish ˈtik-(ə-)lish How to pronounce ticklish (audio)
1
: sensitive to tickling
2
: touchy sense 1
ticklish about his baldness
3
: requiring delicate handling
a ticklish subject
ticklishly adverb
ticklishness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on ticklish

Nglish: Translation of ticklish for Spanish Speakers

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