TOUCHES Synonyms: 393 Similar and Opposite Words

touches 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of touch

as in feels

to come into bodily contact with (something) so as to perceive a slight pressure on the skin be careful not to touch this pan—it's still hot

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as in affects

to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response your speech on the true meaning of patriotism touched me deeply

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as in taints

to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable unfortunately, his insufferable arrogance tends to touch even the good deeds that he does

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as in joins

to be adjacent to our property touches theirs right where that big elm tree is

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as in concerns

to be the business or affair of I don't think this decision touches you, so butt out

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touches

2 of 2

noun

plural of touch

as in splashes

a very small amount added just a touch of parsley to the dish

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as in features

something that sets apart an individual from others of the same kind each designer has his or her own personal touches

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as in hints

an almost imperceptible sign of something a touch of irritation tinged his voice as the candidate fielded yet another question about his personal finances

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of touches

Verb

The film’s multigenerational story touches on the cultural inheritance passed between mothers, daughters and grandmothers — whether through old traditions or ordinary rituals. — Johanna Ferreira, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Saxberger is wary, but Meyers’s admiration touches something, and soon the older man’s convinced to join a nightly meeting of young aesthetes. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 One Meaning, Everywhere The stakes rise after more than one agent touches the same information. — Osman Koc, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 No tools are needed, and memobottle says the whole teardown takes about three seconds, leaving every part that touches your mouth or your water open for a proper scrub. — New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026 According to police, and as the videos appear to show, the robot touches the 16-year-old's buttocks and repeatedly makes thrusting movements toward her. — October 14, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 AfterShip Agent handles exceptions and return reviews today, with a human approving every decision that touches money or the customer. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026 The subplot that touches on the AIDS crisis is a moving one and also might spark some discussion. — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 12 Oct. 2026 The actor plays 007, of course, fighting against Javier Bardem’s Raoul Silva this time around in a story that touches on the very legacy of the big-screen super-spy. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Noun

Upon arrival, guests enjoy touches like fresh flowers, a handwritten note from the general manager, and Godiva chocolates in their rooms. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026 To update the original design, from the spring 1997 couture collection, current Chanel designer Matthieu Blazy added his own touches to the silhouette—reworking it with a sweetheart neckline and a more structured shape. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026 The interiors mix traditional details with more modern, glamorous touches, including oak floors, custom wallpaper, and lighting by Armani, Ralph Pucci, and Allison Berger. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026 The day’s events are being presented with touches of royal style, including an announcement that features Harry and Meghan’s titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and a prearranged media pool chronicling their movements. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 He was involved in the first goal as well, starting a string of single touches that went from to De Paul to forward Luis Suarez to winger Germán Berterame who scored in the 20th minute. — Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026 The restaurant is named for India’s zamindars — the feudal landlords who held power as aristocrats for centuries — and the lush and opulent space shows it, decked out with Indian art, heritage architectural touches, brass accents and warm lighting. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026 There is little in the way of cinematic inspiration, and the emphatic visual style with which the filmmakers aim to enliven the story life tends to turn characters into pristine emblems, albeit adorned with a few picturesque behavioral touches. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026 To transport us to this emotionally sticky place, the Melbourne singer transitions into a syrupy, mature sound, entangling some of his most reflective lyrics to date with ’90s house, trip-hop, shoegaze, and touches of drum 'n' bass. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for touches

Verb

The music on Uncle feels innate, as if Funkhouser had dug these songs out from deep within the crawlspace in his brain.

— Jeff Yerger, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026
Finish with white sneakers and a crossbody bag for an outfit that looks considered but feels as easy as pajamas.

— Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of feels

Verb

This affects the product fit cycle, from shoe development to the retail fitting floor.

— Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
The California Department of Public Health said the recall affects pastries with potential exposure to six allergens, including tree nuts, eggs, milk and wheat.

— Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of affects

Verb

Four families living near Meta’s Newton County data center are suing the tech giant, claiming the massive facility taints their drinking water and disrupts their daily lives.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026
That’s been an idiotic trope for too long — that participating in the business side of it taints you.

— Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026

Definition of taints

Verb

The butler’s pantry joins the kitchen and formal dining room and features a Sub-Zero wine refrigerator and built-ins.

— James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Tonight marks the Academy Museum’s sixth annual gala in Los Angeles, where Bieber joins other A-listers—including honorees Colman Domingo and Charlize Theron and special performer Taylor Swift—to celebrate cinema.

— Audrey Noble, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of joins

Noun

The apron is built to take a beating—oils and rogue splashes barely register, practically rolling right off the surface.

— Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
Jazz fusion keyboardist George Duke, however, plays wild splashes of melody on an electric piano in the empty spaces between Waits’s lines.

— Al Shipley, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of splashes

Noun

Last year, Royal Palm underwent a $100 million renovation by new owner Park Hotels and Resorts, updating all guest rooms, adding new dining concepts, and restoring key architectural features.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
This week, the Royals unveiled new renderings of what their future stadium in Crown Center will look like, with dramatic plaza entrances and a design that highlights Kansas City’s natural features and surrounding landmarks.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of features

Noun

That question motivated Clark to better understand aging among plants and animals and to look for hints to extend humans' lifespan.

— KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
On Friday, Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh offered no hints about potential interest rate policy moves while attending a meeting of financial leaders in Bangkok.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026