What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
touchy
Example
Be careful what you say around him, he's very touchy. [touchy: adjective]
Example
Politics can be a touchy subject to discuss with family members. [touchy: adjective]
Example
The negotiations are in a touchy phase, we need to tread carefully. [touchy: adjective]
sensitive
Example
She's very sensitive to criticism, so be gentle with your feedback. [sensitive: adjective]
Example
We need to be sensitive to cultural differences when working with international clients. [sensitive: adjective]
Example
The experiment requires sensitive equipment to measure the smallest changes. [sensitive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sensitive is more commonly used than touchy in everyday language. Sensitive is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while touchy is less common and refers to a specific type of emotional reactivity.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between touchy and sensitive?
While touchy is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, sensitive can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
