Touched: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when one contact something lightly with the hand or another part of the body, often for a very brief moment.

• She gently touched the baby's cheek
• He touched the sculpture and felt its rough surface

Used to describe a gentle and loving touch, often in a way that shows affection.

• She caressed his face tenderly
• The mother gently caressed her child's hair

Used to describe repetitive, gentle movements typically to comfort or show affection.

• She stroked the cat's fur
• He stroked her hair as she fell asleep

Used for light touches usually done in a repetitive motion, often for comforting or praising someone.

• She patted the dog on the head
• He gave his friend a reassuring pat on the back

Used when barely touching something, often in reference to the skin getting lightly scratched or the action being accidental.

• She tripped and her knee grazed the ground
• His hand just grazed mine as he walked by

Used to describe a feeling of emotional impact that often involves a sense of gratitude or tenderness. Common in personal interactions or sentimental situations.

• She was deeply touched by the kind words in the letter.
• I felt touched when he remembered my birthday.

Describes causing a strong emotional reaction, commonly used in artistic or dramatic contexts to convey a powerful impact.

• The heartfelt performance moved the entire audience to tears.
• His speech was so inspiring that it moved everyone present.

Refers to influencing or bringing about a change in someone or something, often in a more general or technical sense. Suitable for formal or neutral situations.

• The new policy will significantly affect the company's operations.
• Watching that tragic movie affected me deeply.

Used to evoke a more intense or agitated emotional reaction, often implying complexity of feelings. Sometimes has a slightly dramatic tone.

• The controversial article stirred up a lot of emotions among readers.
• Hearing the national anthem stirred patriotic feelings in everyone.

This word is often used when someone feels a small, warm feeling inside, especially from a kind act or words. It's suitable for both formal and informal situations.

• I was deeply touched by your kindness.
• She was touched when she received a heartfelt thank you note.

This word is used when someone is strongly emotionally impacted, often in a profound or deep way. It's a bit more intense than 'touched' and is suitable for situations where the emotional reaction is more significant.

• She was moved to tears by their touching reunion.
• The charity's gratitude moved everyone at the event.

This phrase explicitly specifies the type of emotional response, often used for clarity. It's suitable for contexts where precision is required, such as in literary or psychological descriptions.

• He was touched emotionally by the heartfelt speech.
• The film left the audience touched emotionally, leading to a standing ovation.

This is a more neutral word that suggests a noticeable change in someone's emotions, thoughts, or behavior. It can be used in a wide range of contexts, including formal ones.

• The news of the disaster affected everyone in the office.
• He was visibly affected by the movie’s tragic ending.