touchiness
/'tʌtʃinis/
Definition
Noun: 1. The state or quality of being easily irritated, offended, or annoyed; sensitivity to perceived slights or criticism. It refers to a tendency to react quickly or strongly to minor provocations or to take offense where none may be intended.
Usage
"Touchiness" is an uncountable noun used to describe a person's character trait or a temporary mood. It is often used in contexts discussing personality, emotional reactions, or interpersonal dynamics. - It is typically used with verbs like show, display, demonstrate, cause, or avoid. - It can be modified by adjectives like extreme, unnecessary, well-known, or increased.
Examples
- His touchiness about his height made it difficult to joke with him.
- The manager's touchiness regarding any suggestion created a tense work environment.
- She apologized for her touchiness, explaining she was under a lot of stress.
- Political debates often reveal a candidate's touchiness on certain issues.
Advanced Usage
- A touchiness about/over/regarding something: This structure specifies the subject of the sensitivity.
- There is a certain touchiness among the team regarding the recent changes in policy.
- Used in formal or psychological analysis:
- The study examined the correlation between sleep deprivation and increased touchiness.
Variants and Related Words
- Touchy (adjective): The adjective form meaning easily irritated or requiring careful handling.
- He is very touchy about his past.
- That's a touchy subject.
- Oversensitivity (noun): A close synonym, sometimes implying an excessive degree.
- Irritability (noun): A broader term for a tendency to become easily annoyed, not necessarily focused on taking offense.
- Prickliness (noun): Informal synonym suggesting a defensive, easily provoked nature.
Synonyms
- Sensitivity (in the context of being easily offended)
- Testiness
- Peevishness
- Petulance (often with a connotation of childish annoyance)
Antonyms
- Thick-skinned (adjective phrase)
- Equanimity (noun)
- Stoicism (noun)
- Unflappability (noun)
Idioms and Related Phrases
- To have a thin skin: An idiom meaning to be touchy or easily offended.
- You need a thicker skin to work in this industry; don't be so touchy.
- To tread on someone's toes: To offend someone, often by intruding on their area of responsibility or sensitivity.
- I didn't mean to be critical; I hope I didn't tread on his touchiness about the project.
Noun
-
feeling easily irritated
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