touching

[ tuhch-ing ]

adjective

1. affecting; moving; pathetic:

   a touching scene of farewell.

   Synonyms: piteous, poignant, stirring

2. that touches.

   Synonyms: tangent

preposition

1. in reference or relation to; concerning; about:

   He wrote touching future plans.

touching

/ ˈtʌtʃɪŋ /

adjective

1. evoking or eliciting tender feelings

   your sympathy is touching

preposition

1. on the subject of; relating to

Derived Forms

• ˈtouchingness, noun
• ˈtouchingly, adverb

Other Words From

• touching·ly adverb
• touching·ness noun
• un·touching adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of touching¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; touch + -ing ²

Example Sentences

The song, she adds, became “deeply touching, full of heart.”

From Los Angeles Times

A strike force was set up in March to investigate several indecent assaults and sexual touching incidents between 2001 and 2019, they said in a statement.

From BBC

It's no wonder, when you consider that women are more likely to report ugly or even scary experiences while dating, such as harassment or unwanted touching.

From Salon

Within minutes of sitting down together, her date began touching her inappropriately.

From BBC

She said "he had a penchant for touching and spying on young adolescent boys and his desires were easily satisfied because of the positions he held".

From BBC

Related Words

• heartbreaking
• pathetic
• poignant
• sad
• stirring
• stunning
• wistful