TOUCHING Synonyms: 320 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'touching' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of touching are affecting , impressive , moving , pathetic , and poignant . While all these words mean "having the power to produce deep emotion," touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion. // the touching innocence in a child's eyes

Q: How are the words 'affecting' and 'moving' related as synonyms of 'touching'?

Affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos. // an affecting deathbed reunion

Q: When could 'impressive' be used to replace 'touching'?

While the synonyms impressive and touching are close in meaning, impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction. // an impressive list of achievements

Q: When might 'moving' be a better fit than 'touching'?

The words moving and touching can be used in similar contexts, but moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy. // a moving appeal for contributions

Q: When can 'pathetic' be used instead of 'touching'?

The meanings of pathetic and touching largely overlap; however, pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt. // pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

Q: Where would 'poignant' be a reasonable alternative to 'touching'?

In some situations, the words poignant and touching are roughly equivalent. However, poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities. // a poignant documentary on the homeless

touching 1 of 3

adjective

ˈtə-chiŋ

Definition of touching

as in adjacent

having a border in common touching lots in the housing development will eventually be separated by hedges for privacy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in emotional

having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies a touching movie about two lost animals who try to find their way home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

touching

2 of 3

preposition

as in regarding

having to do with there has been an objection touching the last of the proposed new bylaws

Synonyms & Similar Words

touching

3 of 3

verb

present participle of touch

as in feeling

to come into bodily contact with (something) so as to perceive a slight pressure on the skin be careful not to touch this pan—it's still hot

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in affecting

to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response your speech on the true meaning of patriotism touched me deeply

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in marring

to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable unfortunately, his insufferable arrogance tends to touch even the good deeds that he does

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in adjoining

to be adjacent to our property touches theirs right where that big elm tree is

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in concerning

to be the business or affair of I don't think this decision touches you, so butt out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word touching distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of touching are affecting, impressive, moving, pathetic, and poignant. While all these words mean "having the power to produce deep emotion," touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.

the touching innocence in a child's eyes

How are the words affecting and moving related as synonyms of touching?

Affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

an affecting deathbed reunion

When could impressive be used to replace touching?

While the synonyms impressive and touching are close in meaning, impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

an impressive list of achievements

When might moving be a better fit than touching?

The words moving and touching can be used in similar contexts, but moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.

a moving appeal for contributions

When can pathetic be used instead of touching?

The meanings of pathetic and touching largely overlap; however, pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

Where would poignant be a reasonable alternative to touching?

In some situations, the words poignant and touching are roughly equivalent. However, poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.

a poignant documentary on the homeless

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of touching

Adjective

The first will move faster, build safer and win work others can’t risk touching. — Ronald Bisio, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 This includes such behaviors as repeated propositioning, coercive pressure, unwanted touching and physical violence. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Verb

Caminero took his time rounding the bases before touching home plate, and the Rays fans in the stadium matched his energy the entire time. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 DeWitt pointed to workers touching antennae around the queen. — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for touching

Recent Examples of Synonyms for touching

Adjective

Raman’s office didn’t comment on that assertion, but Stahl said that the Bureau of Street Services isn’t funded to repair damaged sidewalks, and the responsibility falls to the adjacent property owners.

— Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
There's one accessible suite with an entry ramp, adjacent parking, and an en suite bathroom with a shower handrail.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of adjacent

Adjective

The history between these men is more noxious than your garden-variety case of paternal neglect — there’s been emotional and physical abuse.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
That’s not because Crystal soft-pedals the emotional horror of returning to your home to find charred remains after watching, helpless, as flames took the locus of all your best memories.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of emotional

Preposition

Metro Police detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting, and are in contact with the District Attorney’s Office regarding charging decisions.

— Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Oct. 2025
Was any decision made regarding reducing Partey’s media obligations?

— James McNicholas, New York Times, 11 July 2025

Definition of regarding

Verb

During Monday's Morning Meeting , Jim thought that Microsoft and Amazon would be feeling the most heat to raise funds following Meta's move Monday and Alphabet's $85 billion stock sale over the summer.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Most Western countries are aging and feeling the sting of inflation, especially in ballooning housing costs.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of feeling

Verb

Sanders, who spoke alongside el Sayed in Grand Rapids, said Trump’s attacks on the Democratic candidate were rooted in Islamophobia because Republicans have little to say about the issues affecting working families.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 26 Oct. 2026
Executives with the authority to make decisions affecting cybersecurity must carry appropriate accountability for those decisions.

— JC Gaillard, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of affecting

Verb

The Trib is withholding Nick’s full name to avoid marring his reputation in the eyes of future employers or others who might run a search on him.

— Kate Payne, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
The latter track takes overt inspiration from Sofia Coppola’s 2006 film Marie Antoinette, as Jepsen beckons her love to engage in life’s vices with her, like marring bedsheets with fruit stains and dashing nude through the garden.

— Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of marring

Verb

Cocktails are served at Drink Kong, the sexy, high-concept cocktail bar—its second location in the city—adjoining the property.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Undeterred, the three friends bought the hotel and adjoining property for $3 million and have since spent over $10 million on renovations and redesign.

— Madeleine Kashkooli, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of adjoining

Verb

Even for the game’s best kickers, misses happen from time to time, but the concerning part for the Chiefs is that the funk has become a trend.

— Pete Sweeney October 26, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
Chris Brown will avoid prison time, for now, in the London case concerning his assault of a music producer at a nightclub three years ago.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of concerning

Cite this Entry

Style

“Touching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touching. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of touching

adjective

preposition

verb

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