as in emotional
having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies
the affecting final scene in the play, when the children are reunited with their father
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in influencing
to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response
their son claims that scary movies don't affect him in the least
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in concerning
to be the business or affair of
fortunately, hurricane season doesn't affect the West Coast
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in simulating
to present a false appearance of
she affected complete unawareness that we were talking about her, though she must have overheard
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in haunting
to go to or spend time in often
a power couple known to affect all the fancy parties in town
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of affecting
Ellise Shafer, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
An absolute charmer, the film is an affecting look at the human-avian bond, with all its mysteries, warmth and ungainly practicalities.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025
Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE), a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation, announced layoffs affecting dozens of union members, according to a statement from the IEBW Local 410.
—Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affecting
Adjective
Fans and critics alike seem to agree that the result is jarringly intimate and extremely affecting.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
An absolute charmer, the film is an affecting look at the human-avian bond, with all its mysteries, warmth and ungainly practicalities.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
The city requires subdivisions to address stormwater on-site, not adversely affecting neighboring properties.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE), a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation, announced layoffs affecting dozens of union members, according to a statement from the IEBW Local 410.
—Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affecting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affecting
Adjective
-
Testimony is also likely to include emotional stories from those who were in the school that day.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Romero does not have the tactical or emotional discipline required to be an effective captain.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s impressive for a rebuilding team, but is anyone picking the Ducks over the Oilers in a playoff series?—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The seven others are an impressive array of politicians and nonpoliticians alike, all articulate and accomplished in various ways.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Among the more moving cases that Blair describes are those of people who in life were vulnerable and powerless but in death were considered formidable threats.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The offense is considered a non-moving violation with no license points, though vehicles can be towed in some cases.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
But the Farmer's Dog, a healthy dog food subscription service, lovingly demonstrated its purpose with this touching commercial about a dog and its beloved owner.—
Debby Wolfinsohn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Crown Point Jewel-Osco employee charged with touching co-worker A Crown Point man is facing charges for touching his co-worker at Jewel-Osco.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affecting. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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