Is 'thin-skinned' rude to say about someone?

Yes, it's mildly critical and suggests weakness. Use it only in appropriate contexts or with people who won't take offense. 'Sensitive' is more neutral if you want to avoid offending someone.

What is the opposite of thin-skinned?

Thick-skinned means emotionally resilient and not easily hurt by criticism. Example: 'You need to be thick-skinned to work in journalism.'

Is thin-skinned the same as insecure?

Not exactly. Thin-skinned describes the reaction to criticism, while insecure describes underlying lack of confidence. An insecure person is often thin-skinned, but not always.

Can thin-skinned apply to organizations or just people?

Mostly just people. You rarely hear 'a thin-skinned company.' For organizations, you'd say sensitive or reactive instead.

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What's the word for someone who cant take criticism?

The word you're looking for

thin-skinned /ˌθɪn ˈskɪnd/

Someone who is thin-skinned is very sensitive to criticism and gets hurt or upset easily by negative feedback. This idiom describes a person who lacks emotional resilience in handling criticism.

Other words that fit

sensitive

Use for a more neutral or kind way to describe emotional responsiveness to criticism, especially in formal contexts.

defensive

Use when describing someone's protective reaction to criticism rather than their underlying emotional sensitivity.

touchy

Use for an informal, colloquial alternative; means easily upset or offended by criticism.

fragile

Use to describe emotional delicacy and vulnerability in general; less specific to criticism than thin-skinned.

Why this word

Thin-skinned is an idiom comparing emotional sensitivity to delicate skin. It describes people who take criticism personally and become upset easily. Unlike defensive, which focuses on protective behavior, thin-skinned emphasizes the underlying sensitivity. In everyday English, it's the natural way to express this concept, though it's mildly critical. In more formal writing, you might prefer sensitive or emotionally fragile.

In context

My manager said I was too thin-skinned to work in customer service.
She gets angry when people criticize her work because she's thin-skinned.
Don't be so thin-skinned; constructive feedback helps you grow.

Other concepts to find a word for

word for someone who gets angry easily word for emotional sensitivity word for being emotionally strong

Frequently asked questions

Is 'thin-skinned' rude to say about someone?: Yes, it's mildly critical and suggests weakness. Use it only in appropriate contexts or with people who won't take offense. 'Sensitive' is more neutral if you want to avoid offending someone.
What is the opposite of thin-skinned?: Thick-skinned means emotionally resilient and not easily hurt by criticism. Example: 'You need to be thick-skinned to work in journalism.'
Is thin-skinned the same as insecure?: Not exactly. Thin-skinned describes the reaction to criticism, while insecure describes underlying lack of confidence. An insecure person is often thin-skinned, but not always.
Can thin-skinned apply to organizations or just people?: Mostly just people. You rarely hear 'a thin-skinned company.' For organizations, you'd say sensitive or reactive instead.