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

With three divided sections, hosts can put several types of dip on one tray and ensure none of them are touching. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026 Three months after his death, Kimberly opened up about her grief while sharing a touching social media tribute to her late husband. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026

Verb

The water’s depth in the primary snorkeling area maxes out around eight feet, so the coral heads appear almost within arm’s reach—though touching them is strictly off-limits. — Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026 Police in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, released surveillance video of a suspect accused of inappropriately touching a 12-year-old girl inside a Dollar Tree store Monday afternoon. — Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for touching

Recent Examples of Synonyms for touching

Adjective

Hamas is the terrorist group that has pledged to eliminate Israel, which operates in Gaza, the area adjacent to Israel.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2026
Netflix has also pushed aggressively into live sports and sports-adjacent fare, acquiring rights to the WWE’s weekly Raw showcase along with NFL and Major League Baseball games.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of adjacent

Adjective

The Moon enters Gemini and your 4th House of Home and Family, bringing movement to household plans, family messages, private thoughts, or emotional memories.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
An emotional vigil was held in Garfield, New Jersey, on Thursday to remember two children who died after being swept into the Passaic River.

— Andrew Ramos, CBS News, 7 Aug. 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

Waldrep left a July 19 start for Gwinnett in Toledo, Ohio, after feeling discomfort in his throwing arm.

— Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026
The Sydney penthouse, measuring in at just under 9,700 square feet, takes a restrained approach while still feeling sumptuous, thanks to interiors that pair custom pieces with luxe materials.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of feeling

Verb

The event featured Georgia's congressional, Senate, House, and gubernatorial candidates discussing key economic issues affecting the state and nation.

— Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Radio got hit with a double whammy of bad news last week, affecting both AM and FM bands.

— Richard Wagoner, Daily News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of affecting

Verb

To prevent a similar war from happening again, Menelaus scarred her face, permanently marring her famous beauty.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026
Lined with live oaks and old-fashioned, busy storefronts, this artsy town on the Gulf of Mexico has no commercial development marring its shoreline.

— Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 16 June 2026

Definition of marring

Verb

The organization has partnered with the city on the campus’ redesign since 2012, when planning began to incorporate a vacant lot adjoining the towers into the campus.

— Jane Horowitz, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Each cabin showcases a unique colorway, custom finishes, and adjoining en suites with marble detailing.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 23 July 2026

Definition of adjoining

Cite this Entry

Style

“Touching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/touching. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of touching

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preposition

verb

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