affecting 1 of 3

affecting

2 of 3

verb (1)

present participle of affect

affecting

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of affect

Synonym Chooser

How is the word affecting distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of affecting are impressive, moving, pathetic, poignant, and touching. While all these words mean "having the power to produce deep emotion," affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

an affecting deathbed reunion

When might impressive be a better fit than affecting?

The synonyms impressive and affecting are sometimes interchangeable, but impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

an impressive list of achievements

When is it sensible to use moving instead of affecting?

Although the words moving and affecting have much in common, moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.

a moving appeal for contributions

When could pathetic be used to replace affecting?

While the synonyms pathetic and affecting are close in meaning, pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

When is poignant a more appropriate choice than affecting?

The meanings of poignant and affecting largely overlap; however, poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.

a poignant documentary on the homeless

When would touching be a good substitute for affecting?

In some situations, the words touching and affecting are roughly equivalent. However, touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.

the touching innocence in a child's eyes

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of affecting
Adjective
That history is warmly acknowledged here in an affecting moment. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025 One of the most affecting posts was a picture of a small garbage bag-like plastic bag that contains a baby’s body. Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
The Latin America portfolio is the largest at NED, and the freeze has halted all programming, affecting journalists, civic activists, and human rights defenders. Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025 Dandruff causes an itchy scalp and is sometimes considered a mild form of seborrheic dermatitis, a common skin condition mainly affecting the scalp. Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for affecting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affecting
Adjective
  • The vote dashed the hopes of those with the 156-year-old Art Academy, who gave emotional pleas in recent weeks to city leaders for help.
    Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025
  • They are then adopted out to be a pet or are placed in police, fire and EMS stations to provide emotional support.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • Lambert-Smith has exhibited some impressive ball-tracking in the deep part of the field.
    Daniel Popper, New York Times, 31 July 2025
  • This image represents one of the first times that astronomers have obtained images of thousands of star-forming regions at this impressive level of detail.
    Rebecca McClain, Space.com, 31 July 2025
Adjective
  • Newman and Curtin also were responsible for one of the night's most moving moments, holding up a photograph of the late Gilda Radner during the cast's goodbyes at the end of the show.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 24 July 2025
  • Yet the most moving and memorable picture in the show, aside from Rembrandt’s, is one by his contemporary Hendrick van Steenwijk the Younger, on loan from the National Gallery, in Washington, D.C.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • Click on the video below to see her touching reaction!
    Ronnie Li, USA Today, 20 July 2025
  • Stunning European scenery and a low cost of living Part of the former Yugoslavia touching Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary, with a tiny frontage on the Adriatic Sea, Slovenia offers a wide variety of stunning coastal and mountain scenery.
    William P. Barrett, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Affecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affecting. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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