moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.
a moving appeal for contributions
impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.
an impressive list of achievements
poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.
a poignant documentary on the homeless
affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.
an affecting deathbed reunion
touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.
the touching innocence in a child's eyes
pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.
pathetic attempts to justify misconduct
Examples of affecting in a Sentence
He begins his book with an affecting description of his difficult childhood.
the affecting final scene in the play, when the children are reunited with their father
Recent Examples on the WebDespite the refrain of the absent father, Suleiman’s relationship with his mother is the most affecting in the novel.—Hazlitt, 3 Apr. 2024 Throughout the song, the stage increasingly lit up — coming out of near darkness to technicolor — to create an affecting moment paralleling the song's lyrics, which in part finds Joel reflecting on his own legacy to his fans.—Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 5 Feb. 2024 Water From Your Eyes deliver a fully unplugged take on the tune that’s no less affecting when stripped down to Nate Amos’ acoustic guitar and Rachel Brown’s vocals.—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2024 Both are among the most affecting reckonings with national traumas that American musicians have ever made.—The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2023 But the care with which singer-guitarist Justin Trosper and drummer Sara Lund approached the project following bassist Vern Rumsey’s death was the most affecting part of it all.—Pitchfork, 20 Dec. 2023 Viewers have family: the story told will be all the more affecting.—Pablo Sandoval, Variety, 23 Nov. 2023 Her subtlety makes the film’s last moments—when the sweep of unexplored possibility finally engulfs her—all the more affecting.—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2023 There’s arguably been no more affecting moment in the series than Katniss showing her love and respect by spreading flowers over the dead girl’s body.—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'affecting.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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