touching

touching

I

touch‧ing¹ /ˈtʌtʃɪŋ/ adjectivemaking you feel pity, sympathy, sadness etc:
    a touching reunion of father and son
—touchingly adverb
⇨ touch¹(4)
     

THESAURUS

■ causing strong feelings
   ▪ emotional causing people to have strong feelings – used especially about experiences, speeches, or subjects that people have strong feelings about: Returning home after a year in hospital was an emotional experience for Katy. | He gave an emotional speech at the funeral. | It was a very emotional moment. | Abortion rights is a highly emotional issue.
   ▪ emotive used about issues or language that make people have strong feelings: Fox hunting is a very emotive issue in Britain. | ‘Indoctrination’ is rather an emotive word.
   ▪ moving making you feel strong feelings of sadness or sympathy: Kelly’s book about her illness is deeply moving. | a moving film
   ▪ touching making you feel slightly emotional – used especially when someone does something that shows how much they care about another person: Your loyalty is very touching. | My son phoned me to wish me good luck, which was a touching gesture.
   ▪ poignant making you feel strong feelings of sadness or pity, especially when you remember something in the past: Her youthful expression is a poignant reminder of the passing of time.
   ▪ sentimental (also schmaltzy) informal dealing with emotions such as love and sadness in a way that seems silly: He found the film too sentimental. | a schmaltzy comedy

II

touching² preposition formal
concerning:
    matters touching the conduct of diplomacy