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moving

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verb

present participle of move
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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
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
Verb
Parsons is expected to change everything about their outlook moving forward. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Aug. 2025 Coca-Cola has argued that the IRS's valuation analysis is flawed and that an old closing agreement, which provided for a simple profit allocation formula, should be honored moving forward. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for moving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moving
Adjective
  • This is the Oscar-winning director's first-ever acting Emmy nomination, and his daughter Francesca shared his emotional reaction to being nominated.
    Carson Blackwelder, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Their emotional personal stories helped fuel the popularity of lotteries.
    Safiyah Riddle, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For Black Americans relocating to countries within the Black diaspora, cultural and mindset shifts can be both surprising and necessary.
    Essence, Essence, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The site will also be home to a Hen House, which is relocating from its aging, nearby spot at 6950 Mission Road.
    Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Good Fortune follows Reeves as an angel, Gabriel, tasked by his boss, Martha (Sandra Oh), with stopping humans from dying while texting and driving.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Avoid using phones or other distracting behaviors while driving in a work zone.
    Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • To maintain tanks’ relevance, Russian and Ukrainian soldiers have covered them in different configurations of armor as ad hoc solutions to rapidly shifting tactics.
    Marco Hernandez, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The Globe’s decision to stand by McCarthy is the latest in a series of indications that newsroom culture is shifting radically to match this backlash moment.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • However, an anonymous former OLCA employee said the department is experiencing significant cuts, potentially affecting how well the agency can help Congress identify Social Security problems in certain areas.
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • To see an affecting presentation?
    David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Chris Young’s Beyond Earth column explores the intersection of space technology and policy, providing thought-provoking commentary on the latest advancements and regulatory developments in the sector.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Follow Scheffler for destination stories, travel trends and thought-provoking conversations from the world of travel.
    Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But much like Howard Jarvis feared, the tax-and-spend interests have sought to destroy Proposition 13 ever since, most recently by persuading courts to carve loopholes in its constitutional protections and invent new ways for government agencies to raise revenue.
    Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Elizabeth Stage, whose Oakland hills home barely escaped the deadly 1991 firestorm, and whose work as president of the Oakland FireSafe Council involves persuading residents to adopt Zone 0 measures, said the study would be a helpful, persuasive tool.
    Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Otherwise, the sheer magnitude of America’s natural gas resource has enabled drillers to quickly overwhelm temporary spikes in prices by activating a number of additional drillings and driving prices back down with higher production volumes.
    David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The stand's design holds the watch on its side, automatically activating Nightstand Mode and turning your watch into a bedside clock.
    Nora Colomer may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Moving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moving. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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