touching
1 of 2adjective
touch·ing ˈtə-chiŋ 
: capable of arousing emotions of tenderness or compassion
touchingly adverb
touching
2 of 2preposition
: 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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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
María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2022 His writing about family — particularly his grandmother, who cooked for the entire neighborhood — is often deeply touching. Amy Hubbard, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2022 Perhaps the 100-second clip of Trevino is most touching. Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 11 July 2022 Smith’s interviews with people from all of these groups are quite touching, and a reminder of the power of online anonymity. Wired, 8 July 2022 In honor of their 17th anniversary, Robert posted a throwback photo from him and Susan's wedding and penned a touching tribute to his wife in the caption. Lia Beck, Peoplemag, 29 Aug. 2022 And these people share these kind of very touching reminiscences of their childhood under the yellow sun. Lauren Markham, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022 Following the announcement of her death, Newton-John's Grease co-star John Travolta wrote a touching tribute to the Australian actress on social media. Amethyst Tate, Peoplemag, 19 Aug. 2022 Dear Grateful: This is a touching tribute to a very wise mother-in-law. Amy Dickinson, cleveland, 11 Aug. 2022 See More
Adjective
Despite the initial challenges, Darbyshire said, filming day was filled with touching moments. María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2022 His writing about family — particularly his grandmother, who cooked for the entire neighborhood — is often deeply touching. Amy Hubbard, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2022 Perhaps the 100-second clip of Trevino is most touching. Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 11 July 2022 Smith’s interviews with people from all of these groups are quite touching, and a reminder of the power of online anonymity. Wired, 8 July 2022 In honor of their 17th anniversary, Robert posted a throwback photo from him and Susan's wedding and penned a touching tribute to his wife in the caption. Lia Beck, Peoplemag, 29 Aug. 2022 And these people share these kind of very touching reminiscences of their childhood under the yellow sun. Lauren Markham, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022 Following the announcement of her death, Newton-John's Grease co-star John Travolta wrote a touching tribute to the Australian actress on social media. Amethyst Tate, Peoplemag, 19 Aug. 2022 Dear Grateful: This is a touching tribute to a very wise mother-in-law. Amy Dickinson, cleveland, 11 Aug. 2022 See More 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 ˈtə-chiŋ
: causing a feeling of tenderness or pity
a touching story
touching 1 of 3
adjective
1
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
- adjacent
- bordering
- adjoining
- neighboring
- close
- closest
- attached
- juxtaposed
- joining
- united
- connecting
- skirting
- abutting
- connected
- communicating
- contiguous
- verging
- flanking
- surrounding
- enclosing
- near
- linked
- flush
- fringing
- nearest
- encircling
- embracing
- fencing
- conterminous
- nearby
- interconnecting
- encompassing
- bounding
- nigh
- immediate
- tangential
- approximate
- peripheral
- joined
- inclosing
- tangent
- marginal
- rimming
- ambient
- next-door
- circumjacent
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- separate
- apart
- single
- unconnected
- discrete
- isolated
- detached
- disconnected
- removed
- distant
- noncontiguous
- isolate
- remote
- unattached
- nonadjacent
- farthest
- unlinked
- far
- away
- faraway
- broken up
- divided
- resolved
- discontinuous
- severed
- split
- free-standing
- far-off
- noncontinuous
- disjoined
- parted
- sundered
- dissevered
- divorced
- dissociated
- uncoupled
- disunited
- ramified
- unyoked
2
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
- emotional
- moving
- impressive
- affecting
- poignant
- stirring
- exciting
- passionate
- inspirational
- excitable
- impactful
- feeling
- eloquent
- meaningful
- dramatic
- expressive
- provoking
- theatrical
- stimulating
- sensitive
- rousing
- demonstrative
- theatric
- significant
- responsive
- melodramatic
- cathartic
- histrionic
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- detached
- cool
- unaffecting
- cold
- unemotional
- unimpressive
- dispassionate
- emotionless
- deadpan
touching
2 of 3preposition
as in regarding
having to do with there has been an objection touching the last of the proposed new bylaws Synonyms & Similar Words
- regarding
- concerning
- about
- on
- of
- toward
- respecting
- towards
- apropos
- as for
- with respect to
- with regard to
- apropos of
- as regards
- as to
- as far as
- in view of
- in regard to
- as respects
- in respect to
- over
touching
3 of 3verb
1
as in caressing
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
- caressing
- feeling
- kissing
- hugging
- embracing
- grasping
- rubbing
- gripping
- stroking
- holding
- fondling
- brushing
- pawing
- clasping
- tapping
- nuzzling
- nudging
- patting
- palpating
- fingering
- clutching
- flicking
- hitting
- shaving
- knocking
- handling
- clapping
- tipping
- clenching
- lipping
- grazing
- nosing
- palming
- palping
- dabbing
- skimming
- whacking
- chucking
- pounding
- rapping
- tagging
- clinging (to)
2
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
- affecting
- influencing
- impacting
- impressing
- striking
- reaching
- swaying
- moving
- interesting
- inspiring
- involving
- bothering
- disturbing
- fascinating
- penetrating
- entrancing
- concerning
- stirring
- dazzling
- engaging
- enthralling
- attracting
- getting to
- ravishing
- enchanting
- troubling
- transporting
- enrapturing
- worrying
- upsetting
- captivating
- distressing
- disquieting
- piercing
- discomforting
- biasing
- harassing
- carrying away
- telling (on)
- charming
- perturbing
- afflicting
- stressing
- coloring
- trying
- plaguing
- smiting
- bewitching
- alluring
- agitating
- wringing
- pestering
- flustering
- biassing
- harrying
- discomposing
- straining
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- tiring
- boring
- palling
- wearying
- jading
- underwhelming
3
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
- marring
- spoiling
- tainting
- poisoning
- darkening
- staining
- degrading
- distorting
- lowering
- tarnishing
- smearing
- discrediting
- corrupting
- dirtying
- blurring
- blackening
- soiling
- vitiating
- twisting
- blemishing
- smudging
- polluting
- discoloring
- debasing
- demeaning
- besmirching
- sullying
- disgracing
- sinking
- clouding
- dishonoring
- smutting
- besmearing
- shaming
- subverting
- cheapening
- fouling
- smirching
- tarring
- demoralizing
- depraving
- coloring
- debauching
- abasing
- perverting
- begriming
- bastardizing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- cleansing
- purifying
- uplifting
- elevating
- magnifying
- glorifying
- dignifying
- ennobling
- enshrining
- hallowing
4
as in adjoining
to be adjacent to our property touches theirs right where that big elm tree is Synonyms & Similar Words
- adjoining
- joining
- flanking
- surrounding
- abutting
- neighboring
- skirting
- encircling
- meeting
- enclosing
- fringing
- lining
- contacting
- embracing
- bounding
- butting (on or against)
- marching (with)
- rimming
- converging
- verging (on)
- fencing
- bordering (on)
- inclosing
- attaching (to)
- communicating (with)
- connecting (with)
- margining
- linking (with)
5
as in concerning
to be the business or affair of I don't think this decision touches you, so butt out Synonyms & Similar Words
- affecting
- concerning
- involving
- implicating
- ensnaring
- embroiling
- entangling
- applying (to)
- relating (to)
- pertaining (to)
- bearing (on)
- appertaining (to)
- referring (to)
Synonym Chooser
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
Affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.
an affecting deathbed reunion
While the synonyms impressive and touching are close in meaning, impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.
an impressive list of achievements
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
The meanings of pathetic and touching largely overlap; however, pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.
pathetic attempts to justify misconduct
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