touchily
In prickly fashion
In a manner showing irritability or oversensitivity to criticism.
Someone who responds touchily takes offense easily or reacts defensively to minor provocations: She touchily dismissed any suggestion that her work needed revision.
The adverb implies the reaction is disproportionate to the cause.
Short-tempered, easily provoked
- peevishHabitually fretful
- petulantChildishly bad-tempered
- snappishlyIn an irritable way
- grumpilyIn an ill-tempered manner
crankily · grouchily · snappily · crossly · sullenly · fractiously · irascibly · cantankerously
In a protective manner
- delicatelyIn a careful, subtle manner
- vulnerablyWithout defense or shield
- insecurelyWithout firmness or stability
- self-consciouslyWith uncomfortable awareness
resentfully · umbrageous · easily offended · taking offense · wounded · slighted · affronted · bristling
testy
Short-tempered, easily provoked
- peevishHabitually fretful
- petulantChildishly bad-tempered
- snappishlyIn an irritable way
grumpily · crankily · grouchily · snappily · crossly · sullenly · fractiously · irascibly · cantankerously · querulously
defensively
In a protective manner
- delicatelyIn a careful, subtle manner
- vulnerablyWithout defense or shield
- insecurelyWithout firmness or stability
self-consciously · resentfully · umbrageous · easily offended · taking offense · wounded · slighted · affronted · bristling · guardedly
touchilyunflappably
With steady composure
imperturbably · good-naturedly · easily · nonchalantly · indifferently
touchilycalmly
In a tranquil manner
placidly · serenely · tranquilly · good-humoredly · genially
touchilygood-humoredly
In cheerful, agreeable spirits
amiably · genially · affably · cheerfully · pleasantly
- touching upMaking minor improvements
- touching downMaking contact with surface
- no touchingProhibition on physical contact
- touching baseBrief informal contact
- touching grassReconnecting with physical reality
- touching woodLuck-preserving superstition