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Touchiness: meaning, definitions and examples

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touchiness

 

[ˈtʌʧɪnəs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

emotional sensitivity

Touchiness refers to the tendency to be easily offended or upset by the remarks or actions of others. It can manifest as a heightened emotional sensitivity or a quickness to take offense.

Synonyms

defensiveness, irritability, sensitivity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
touchiness

This word is often used to describe someone who is easily upset or offended. It can have a slightly negative connotation, suggesting that the person has a delicate ego and overreacts to minor comments or actions.

  • Her touchiness made it hard to have a simple conversation without her taking things the wrong way.
  • You have to be careful with what you say around him because of his touchiness.
sensitivity

Choose this word when describing someone who is empathetic and easily affected by the feelings of others or their environment. It does not necessarily have a negative connotation and can be seen as a positive trait in some contexts.

  • Her sensitivity to the needs of her coworkers made her an excellent team leader.
  • The artist's sensitivity to beauty is reflected in his detailed and emotional paintings.
irritability

This is the best word to describe someone who is easily annoyed or becomes angry quickly. It often indicates a temporary state, such as due to stress or lack of rest.

  • His irritability was obvious after a long day at work and little sleep the night before.
  • She noticed her irritability increasing with the added pressure of the upcoming deadline.
defensiveness

Use this word to describe someone who is quick to justify themselves or their actions, often feeling attacked or criticized even when that's not the case. It can imply a sense of insecurity or unwillingness to accept feedback.

  • His defensiveness during meetings makes it difficult to provide constructive feedback.
  • The student's defensiveness when asked about the homework suggested she didn't fully understand the material.

Examples of usage

  • He exhibited touchiness when his work was criticized.
  • Her touchiness made it difficult to have open conversations with her.
  • The touchiness of the situation required careful handling.
Context #2 | Noun

sensitivity to physical touch

Touchiness can also refer to a heightened sensitivity to physical touch, where even light pressure or contact can cause discomfort or pain.

Synonyms

hypersensitivity, tenderness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
touchiness

Best used to describe someone who is easily offended or irritable. It often carries a slightly negative connotation.

  • His touchiness about his work made it difficult to give him constructive feedback
  • Be careful with what you say around her; her touchiness can lead to arguments
hypersensitivity

Refers to an excessive sensitivity to physical or emotional stimuli. It is often used in medical or psychological contexts.

  • His hypersensitivity to certain foods requires him to maintain a very strict diet
  • After the incident, she developed a hypersensitivity to loud noises
tenderness

Used to describe a gentle, caring behavior toward someone or something. It can also refer to physical softness or soreness.

  • He showed great tenderness when caring for the injured bird
  • After the surgery, she felt tenderness around the incision area

Examples of usage

  • His touchiness made it challenging to give him a massage.
  • The cat's touchiness meant that it didn't like to be petted for too long.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term 'touchiness' originated from the word 'touchy,' which can be traced back to the early 19th century.
  • It combines 'touch,' meaning to make contact, with the suffix '-iness,' indicating a state or condition.

Psychology

  • People who experience high touchiness may have a low tolerance for criticism, often stemming from past experiences.
  • Emotional sensitivity can be beneficial, as it can lead to deeper empathy and understanding in relationships.
  • Excessive touchiness might affect social interactions, causing misunderstandings or conflicts.

Social Dynamics

  • In group settings, touchiness can lead to 'walking on eggshells,' where people avoid certain topics to prevent upset.
  • Cultural differences play a role; what is considered sensitive in one culture may not hold the same weight in another.

Literature

  • Many characters in classic literature exhibit touchiness, often leading to dramatic confrontations and revealing their deeper vulnerabilities.
  • Authors utilize touchy characters to explore themes of fragility and emotional depth, adding complexity to their stories.

Pop Culture

  • Reality TV often showcases the touchiness of contestants, where small comments can lead to significant drama.
  • Memes and social media frequently highlight earthly touchiness in humorous ways, revealing our societal reactions to sensitive topics.

Translations

Translations of the word "touchiness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sensibilidade

🇮🇳 संवेदनशीलता

🇩🇪 Empfindlichkeit

🇮🇩 kepekaan

🇺🇦 чутливість

🇵🇱 wrażliwość

🇯🇵 敏感さ (びんかんさ)

🇫🇷 sensibilité

🇪🇸 sensibilidad

🇹🇷 hassaslık

🇰🇷 민감성

🇸🇦 حساسية

🇨🇿 citlivost

🇸🇰 citlivosť

🇨🇳 敏感

🇸🇮 občutljivost

🇮🇸 viðkvæmni

🇰🇿 сезімталдық

🇬🇪 მგრძნობელობა

🇦🇿 həssaslıq

🇲🇽 sensibilidad

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,389, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.