thin-skinned
adjective
1
: having a thin skin or rind
thin-skinned oranges
2
: unduly susceptible to criticism or insult : touchy
Examples of thin-skinned in a Sentence
she only laughed at the teasing, but a more thin-skinned person would have gotten angry
Recent Examples on the Web
Players and coaches have become maddeningly mealy-mouthed, striving to avoid upsetting agents, sponsors, owners, fans, thin-skinned politicians, and whoever else might object.
—
Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
In what neatly encapsulates the uncomfortable, rude, thin-skinned yet cruel, sarcastic and ultimately juvenile communication style of his online brood, the leader of the pack started with — what else — Lawrence’s looks.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Chef Mingoo Kang’s favorite vegetable is the thin-skinned variety of Kermit-green summer squash known as aehobak, or Korean zucchini, which is slightly sweeter and more aromatic than American zucchini.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
More delicate, thin-skinned fruit like mandarins and Meyer lemons require a more hands-on approach using snips.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
While some might depict the NFL as thin-skinned in challenging the report cards, both the league and union use arbitration to enforce CBA provisions.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026
The football world overflows with thin-skinned, insecure coaches.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
To be thin-skinned means being especially sensitive to criticism, and it’s often perceived as lacking strength or the capacity to cope under pressure.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Instead Linda devolves, becoming more pugnacious and thin-skinned and pissed off.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
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Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
In what neatly encapsulates the uncomfortable, rude, thin-skinned yet cruel, sarcastic and ultimately juvenile communication style of his online brood, the leader of the pack started with — what else — Lawrence’s looks.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
Chef Mingoo Kang’s favorite vegetable is the thin-skinned variety of Kermit-green summer squash known as aehobak, or Korean zucchini, which is slightly sweeter and more aromatic than American zucchini.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
More delicate, thin-skinned fruit like mandarins and Meyer lemons require a more hands-on approach using snips.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
While some might depict the NFL as thin-skinned in challenging the report cards, both the league and union use arbitration to enforce CBA provisions.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026
The football world overflows with thin-skinned, insecure coaches.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
To be thin-skinned means being especially sensitive to criticism, and it’s often perceived as lacking strength or the capacity to cope under pressure.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Instead Linda devolves, becoming more pugnacious and thin-skinned and pissed off.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thin-skinned.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thin-skinned. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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