feely

Examples

• All

• Chris Davies, former president of the Association of Directors of Social Services, calls this the "touchy-feely bit," as opposed to the cognitive, instrumental part of a leader's role.

  Academic text (2011)

• The man absolutely adores his wife, but she is not touchy-feely like he is.

  Blog text (2)

• A little touchy-feely, but still great guys.

  Breaking Barbi (2019)

• It's one of those pass fail, bit touchy feely kind of kind of schools.

• Too early for the touchy-feely thing.

  Mee-Shee: The Water Giant (2005)

• Maybe some folks should have taken more science classes instead of those touchy-feely ones.

  Blog text (18)

• I'll be the first to admit, what I was writing was touchy-feely.

  Jerry Maguire (1996)

• In this book, he approaches meditation in a very straightforward and accessible way, without using touchy-feely language or religion.

  Academic text (2006)

• Sally and Skye cuddle together on one of the benches around the pool, chatting; a friendly, touchy-feely conversation.

  Fiction book (2001)

• She prefers movies that are feely, focusing on deep emotions and sentimental themes.

Synonyms

P

passionate

vsfeely

329 2.8

Having very strong feelings about something

is similar but often means feeling led actions without such intense force

S

sentimental

vsfeely

165 4.5

Having strong warm feelings about people or things from the past, often too emotional

is guided by feelings rather than logic across many situations, not only nostalgia

V

visceral

vsfeely

36 7.8

Showing strong natural feelings rather than clear thought

leans on emotions in a more nostalgic, less purely instinctive way

M

mushy

vsfeely

• Informal

27 4.3

Showing too much emotion in a way that seems silly or fake

is about feeling guidance generally and not specifically that cloying, silly tone

S

sappy

vsfeely

• Offensive

23 7.0

Too emotional in a way that feels silly or fake

uses feeling over logic but in less exaggerated or plainly insincere ways

T

touchy-feely

vsfeely

• Informal

12 7.9

Openly showing too much emotion and physical closeness that makes others uncomfortable

expresses feelings generally but does not always involve physical closeness or touch

E

emotive

vsfeely

10 6.0

Causes strong feelings, often sadness or joy

prefers feelings to logic, expressing emotion rather than making reasoned points

M

maudlin

vsfeely

8 8.0

Too emotional in a way that seems silly or not sincere

expresses feelings rather than reason without the self pity or drunken emphasis

G

gushy

vsfeely

6 7.0

Showing too much emotion in a way that feels silly

leans on feelings overall but without this uncontrolled, overly enthusiastic display

S

soppy

vsfeely

• UK

1 5.8

Too emotional and sentimental in a way that seems silly

is guided by emotion in many contexts without that foolish or fake impression

B

bathetic

vsfeely

• Literature

1 9.9

Too sentimental in a way that feels fake or silly

is guided by feeling in many sincere ways, not the failed touching attempt here

F

feelingful

vsfeely

7.2

Showing strong emotion that moves people

leans on feelings over reason, showing emotion rather than logical thought

G

goopy

vsfeely

• Informal

7.6

Too emotional and sweet in a way that feels fake

leans on feelings in general, not limited to that cloying, sickly expression

G

gloppy

vsfeely

• Informal

8.3

Too sweet and emotional so it feels false

is about using feelings over logic but without this heavy cloying quality

S

soupy

vsfeely

• Literature

6.8

Being too emotional in a cheap, false way

applies to feelings broadly, not restricted to artistic or musical sentimental use

S

slobbery

vsfeely

• Informal

4.9

Too sentimental and not sincere

involves being guided by emotion but often without such theatrical dramatic excess

T

torchy

vsfeely

8.3

Showing strong feelings that make people feel sad or moved

is emotional across contexts, not limited to musical or singing sentimental tones

Antonyms

R

rational

382 3.8

Based on clear thinking and facts rather than emotion

L

logical

100 3.9

Able to think clearly and make good choices

Compounds

T

touchy-feely

• Informal

12 7.9

Openly showing too much emotion and physical closeness that makes others uncomfortable

T

touchy-feely conversation

• Informal

7.9

A talk where people openly share personal feelings

How Emotional

mawkish

2 9.4

feely

• Informal

17 8.6

sentimental

165 4.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology