ticklish
/'tikliʃ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Requiring careful handling; delicate or sensitive: Describes a situation, topic, or matter that is difficult to deal with because it requires great tact, diplomacy, or caution to avoid causing offense or problems.
- Sensitive to being tickled: (Less common in formal contexts) Describes a person or part of the body that is easily made to laugh or squirm when lightly touched.
Examples of Usage
Adjective (Delicate Matter):
- The manager found the salary negotiations to be a ticklish issue.
- Bringing up politics at dinner can be a ticklish subject.
- It was a ticklish problem that required a nuanced solution.
Adjective (Sensitive to Touch):
- My feet are very ticklish.
- The child is ticklish under his arms.
Advanced Usage
- "To be in a ticklish position/situation": To be in a difficult or delicate situation that requires careful action.
- The diplomat was in a ticklish position, needing to please both allied nations.
Variants and Related Words
- Ticklishly (adverb): In a delicate or sensitive manner.
- He ticklishly navigated the conversation away from the controversial topic.
- Ticklishness (noun): The quality of being delicate or sensitive.
- The ticklishness of the matter demanded secrecy.
Synonyms
- Delicate: Needing careful treatment.
- Touchy: Easily upset or offended; requiring tact.
- Sensitive: Requiring careful handling to avoid problems.
- Tricky: Difficult to deal with due to complexity or delicacy.
- Prickly: Irritable or difficult to handle.
Antonyms
- Straightforward: Easy to understand or deal with.
- Unproblematic: Not causing any difficulties.
- Robust: Strong and not easily damaged; able to withstand harsh treatment.
Adjective
- difficult to handle; requiring great tact
- delicate negotiations with the big powers
- hesitates to be explicit on so ticklish a matter
- a touchy subject