untouchably
- adverb
- /ʌnˈtʌtʃəblɪ/
- Offensive
- After the scandal, her colleagues treated her untouchably and avoided all contact.
Examples
-
The group acted untouchably toward anyone who disagreed with their views.
-
He was regarded untouchably by the community after the rumors spread.
-
He acted untouchably after his promotion.
-
The celebrity was treated untouchably by the fans.
-
After the scandal, her colleagues treated her untouchably and avoided all contact.
-
He was regarded untouchably by the community after the rumors spread.
-
The group acted untouchably toward anyone who disagreed with their views.
Synonyms
1
8.1
Shows that a place or person is dangerous and not welcoming
1
7.9
In an unfriendly way that does not welcome visitors
1
6.7
In a way that avoids talking to or being with other people
Antonyms
How Unapproachable
- Offensive
6
5.5
- Offensive
1
7.6
17
4.0
9
3.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
untouchably = untouchable (semi-transparent) = un + touch + able + ly
The social meaning 'treating someone as socially unapproachable or unworthy' is a figurative extension of the literal sense and may not be immediately obvious to all learners without cultural context.
Etymology
The word untouchably is made of un- 'not', touch 'to make contact', and the endings -able and -ly. A helpful way to remember the social meaning is to imagine someone treated as if they 'cannot be touched', so people shun or avoid them and treating someone untouchably means leaving them out or not talking to them.