touchy-feely
Emotionally demonstrative type
Touchy-feely describes behavior or attitudes emphasizing physical affection, emotional openness, or interpersonal warmth—often more than the speaker finds comfortable or appropriate.
The term is usually mildly dismissive: I'm not into all that touchy-feely stuff.
It can describe therapy styles, management approaches, or people who hug too readily.
Sometimes used self-deprecatingly: This might sound touchy-feely, but I think we need to talk about our feelings.
Overly touchy, unwelcomely
- grabbyEager to seize
- pawingClumsy, grabby touching
- strokingRubbing softly, repeatedly
- caressingTouching with affection
petting · physical · contact · closeness · boundaries · inappropriate · groping · fondling
Clasping in arms
- cuddlingAffectionate close holding
- snugglingNestling affectionately against another
- embracingHolding warmly, willingly accepting
- handholdingClose guidance or support
warm · nurturing · caring · loving · tender · gentle · doting · demonstrative
Showing strong feelings
- mushySoft or saccharine
- sappyExcessively sentimental
- schmaltzyExcessively and insincerely sentimental
- weepyInclined to cry
maudlin · soppy · gushy · syrupy · overwrought · melodramatic · teary · tender
Sharing another's emotions
- sharingDividing among others
- bondingForming close connections
- supportiveOffering help and reassurance
- feelingsEmotional responses experienced internally
vulnerability · openness · processing · groupthink · self-help · healing · cathartic · workshops
Not following proper methodology
- irrationalLacking sound judgment
- wishy-washyLacking firmness or decisiveness
- flakyCrumbly or unreliable
- softYielding to touch
fuzzy · airy-fairy · woo-woo · pseudoscientific · new-agey · impractical · unfocused · vague
handsy
Overly touchy, unwelcomely
caressing · petting · physical · contact · closeness · boundaries · inappropriate · groping · fondling · unwanted
hugging
Clasping in arms
- cuddlingAffectionate close holding
- snugglingNestling affectionately against another
- embracingHolding warmly, willingly accepting
handholding · warm · nurturing · caring · loving · tender · gentle · doting · demonstrative · clingy
emotional
Showing strong feelings
weepy · maudlin · soppy · gushy · syrupy · overwrought · melodramatic · teary · tender · soft-hearted
empathy
Sharing another's emotions
- sharingDividing among others
- bondingForming close connections
- supportiveOffering help and reassurance
feelings · vulnerability · openness · processing · groupthink · self-help · healing · cathartic · workshops · hand-holding
unscientific
Not following proper methodology
- irrationalLacking sound judgment
- wishy-washyLacking firmness or decisiveness
- flakyCrumbly or unreliable
soft · fuzzy · airy-fairy · woo-woo · pseudoscientific · new-agey · impractical · unfocused · vague · naive
touchy-feelyreserved
Restrained in manner
unemotional · undemonstrative · cold · aloof · hands-off
touchy-feelyformal
Following strict protocol
businesslike · professional · stiff · impersonal · clinical
touchy-feelyanalytical
Examining parts methodically
rational · logical · data-driven · hard-nosed · pragmatic
feel, touch, feeling, touching, touched, touchy, untouched, touches, untouchable