touching

1 of 2

adjective

touch·​ing ˈtə-chiŋ 

: capable of arousing emotions of tenderness or compassion

touchingly adverb

touching

2 of 2

preposition

: in reference to : concerning

Synonyms

Adjective

• abutting
• adjacent
• adjoining
• bordering
• conterminous
• contiguous
• flanking
• flush
• fringing
• joining
• juxtaposed
• neighboring
• skirting
• verging

Preposition

• about
• apropos
• apropos of
• as far as
• as for
• as regards
• as respects
• as to
• concerning
• of
• on
• regarding
• respecting
• toward
• towards

Choose the Right Synonym for touching

moving, impressive, poignant, affecting, touching, pathetic mean having the power to produce deep emotion.

moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.

a moving appeal for contributions

impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

an impressive list of achievements

poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.

a poignant documentary on the homeless

affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

an affecting deathbed reunion

touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.

the touching innocence in a child's eyes

pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

Examples of touching in a Sentence

Adjective

touching lots in the housing development will eventually be separated by hedges for privacy

a touching movie about two lost animals who try to find their way home

Preposition

there has been an objection touching the last of the proposed new bylaws

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Watch The Polar Express on Max The Muppet Christmas Carol Join The Muppets for a hilarious and touching spin on the timeless Christmas tale! —Skyler Caruso, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024

The most touching scene in the movie is right at the beginning, when Dylan visits his folk idol, Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy), in the New Jersey hospital where Guthrie is dying and unable to speak. —Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Dec. 2024

People missed being connected and seeing eyeball to eyeball, touching and feeling fabric, talking to people. —Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 20 Dec. 2024

For that reason, the CDC recommends that people stay away from sick or dead birds or other animals, and avoid touching surfaces contaminated with feces or saliva, such as litter or bedding. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

touching

adjective

touch·​ing

ˈtəch-iŋ

: causing a feeling of tenderness or pity

a touching story

touchingly adverb