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

The couple chose the name Athena Elizabeth Rose — a touching tribute to Beatrice’s late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth. —Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025

Min walks off after becoming convinced Chris doesn’t see a future with him (Yang plays his character’s sadness and disappointment in himself with touching sincerity) and Lee feels betrayed after an unforeseen development comes to light, the result of a drunken evening. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025

Many of those folks were featured in a video tribute to Satter, a touching collection of home movies in which people like Tarantino, Waititi, and Kieran Culkin were just baby-faced, aspiring storytellers. —Brian Welk, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025

In a touching personal essay that highlights the interconnectivity of Los Angeles, author Yesika Salgado, the daughter of a former Pacific Palisades housekeeper, reflects on the homes and families that influenced her life and career. —Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025

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