touch; offend; stir up (emotions)
Meanings
3 senses · 9 examplesverb
to touch; to come into contact with; to bump into
Often refers to physical contact, especially accidental or in the dark.
He groped in the dark and accidentally triggered the alarm.
Don't touch that switch; it's dangerous.
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In the dark, his foot bumped into an empty can on the floor.
verb
to offend; to violate; to infringe upon
Used in abstract contexts, referring to offending rules, systems, or people's interests.
His reform plan offended the vested interest groups.
This report crossed the legal red line.
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Don't lightly infringe upon others' privacy.
verb
to stir up; to evoke; to touch (emotions, memories)
Refers to triggering an emotional response or recollection, often deep-seated.
This movie deeply stirred up my memories of my hometown.
His unfortunate plight touched everyone's sympathy.
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The old man was moved by these words, touching on his worries, and remained silent for a long time.