Definition of movingnext

moving

2 of 2

verb

present participle of move
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Synonym Chooser

How is the word moving distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of moving are affecting, impressive, pathetic, poignant, and touching. While all these words mean "having the power to produce deep emotion," moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.

a moving appeal for contributions

How do affecting and moving relate to one another?

Affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

an affecting deathbed reunion

In what contexts can impressive take the place of moving?

While in some cases nearly identical to moving, impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

an impressive list of achievements

When can pathetic be used instead of moving?

The meanings of pathetic and moving largely overlap; however, pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

When could poignant be used to replace moving?

The words poignant and moving are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 moving?

In some situations, the words touching and moving 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 moving
Adjective
Domingo nails it and is very moving. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 June 2026 Dold capitalizes on these qualities with his funny and moving performance. Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026
Verb
Reworked the listing order, moving L’Jarius Sneed back up to third in the listing. Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026 Earlier, Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue in Washoe County, Nevada, said the fire was moving Northeast as of Saturday evening, according to a social media post. Jenna Harrison, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for moving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moving
Adjective
  • Rather than just a reproductive issue, endometriosis is a whole-body condition, affecting everything from emotional regulation to hormone production and gut health.
    Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The song, famously written by Parton as an emotional farewell to her mentor Porter Wagoner and his show, topped the country chart in 1974.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Meyer Riegger opened a Seoul space in collaboration with Galerie Jocelyn Wolff last year, while Gladstone Gallery is doubling in size and relocating to Hannam-dong ahead of the fairs.
    Payal Uttam, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Newsom and his family did briefly live in California's governor's mansion, which was renovated for former Governor Jerry Brown, before ultimately relocating to the Fair Oaks property.
    Noe Padilla, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Economists can debate whether a top-15 economy should morph itself into a giant leveraged bet on the AI trade, one now driving growth to new highs rather than simply riding alongside it.
    William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Still, several financial analysts have concluded that the prediction frenzy, with its sleek mobile apps and easy-to-understand odds, are driving the stock drops.
    Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • As rising energy prices drive up inflation, several central banks across the Asia-Pacific region are shifting toward hawkish stances.
    , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The shifting strategy centers on threats to punish any country or entity that continues to conduct business with Tehran.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But the forces prodding Shin to boost rates are increasingly affecting Fed policy decisions.
    William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Kelchen said Syracuse is being hit by many of the forces affecting the broader industry.
    Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • By the mid-nineteenth century, the it-narrative began to interest authors invested less in provoking excitement than in guiding the moral development of their readers.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Ukraine’s recent strikes into Russia also have exposed weaknesses in Russia’s air defenses, which could prompt Putin to think twice about provoking a retaliatory attack.
    Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In March, one of DraftKings’ cofounders, Matthew Kalish, stepped down as president—but not before persuading the board to approve a series of potentially lucrative deals to benefit his new marketing company.
    Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • According to sources close to the player, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, an early-summer meeting with Howe in London proved crucial in persuading Steur to move to Tyneside.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The Athletic reported on Sunday that Mateta was in dispute with Palace over the final year of his contract, which is set to expire next summer, with Palace activating an option to extend his deal by a further year last December.
    David Ornstein, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • That means enterprising Quest owners should be able to sideload apps without needing to register for a Meta Developer account and activating Developer Mode through Meta’s mobile app.
    Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Moving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moving. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!