touchy

/ˈtʌtʃi/

/ˈtʌtʃi/

Other forms: touchiest; touchier

Things that are touchy are hard to handle — not literally, but to talk about. Touchy subjects make people upset.

There are a lot of touchy topics in life. Religion is a big one, since people have such different yet strong beliefs. Racism and sexism are touchy. Politics can be touchy. Asking someone how old they are or what they weigh are very touchy questions. Something is touchy if you need to handle it with kid gloves — or maybe avoid the topic altogether. People often use euphemisms — soft, evasive terms — for touchy subjects, to make discussing them easier.

Definitions of touchy

1. adjective

   difficult to handle; requiring great tact
   “a touchy subject”

   synonyms: delicate, ticklish

   difficult, hard

   not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
2. adjective

   quick to take offense
   synonyms: feisty, huffy, thin-skinned

   sensitive

   being susceptible to the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others