thin-skinned
/'θin'skind/
Definition
Adjective: * Quick to take offense; sensitive to criticism or insults: Describes a person who is easily upset, hurt, or angered by what others say, often perceiving criticism where none is intended. It implies a lack of emotional resilience.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- He is too thin-skinned to be a politician; he gets upset by every negative comment online.
- Don't be so thin-skinned; it was just a joke, not a personal attack.
- Her thin-skinned nature makes it difficult for her to accept constructive feedback at work.
Advanced Usage
- "to be thin-skinned about something": To be particularly sensitive regarding a specific topic or area.
- She is very thin-skinned about her artistic work and hates any form of critique.
Variants and Related Words
- Thick-skinned (adj): The direct opposite; not easily offended or affected by criticism.
- You need to be thick-skinned to work in customer service.
- Hypersensitive (adj): Extremely or excessively sensitive.
- He is hypersensitive to any mention of his past mistakes.
Synonyms
- Sensitive: Easily offended or upset.
- Touchy: Easily annoyed or offended.
- Oversensitive: More sensitive than is normal or reasonable.
Antonyms
- Thick-skinned: Insensitive to criticism or insults.
- Imperturbable: Unable to be upset or excited; calm.
- Stoic: Enduring pain or hardship without showing feelings or complaining.
Related Idioms
- To have a thin skin: To be easily offended. This is the idiomatic phrase from which the adjective is derived.
- If you want to be a public figure, you can't have such a thin skin.
- To wear one's heart on one's sleeve: To openly show one's feelings, which can make one seem thin-skinned.
- He wears his heart on his sleeve, so everyone knows when he's upset.
Adjective
-
quick to take offense
