moving

adjective

mov·​ing ˈmü-viŋ How to pronounce moving (audio)
1
a
: marked by or capable of movement
b
: of or relating to a change of residence
moving expenses
c
: used for transferring furnishings from one residence to another
a moving van
d
: involving a motor vehicle that is in motion
a moving violation
2
a
: producing or transferring motion or action
b
: stirring deeply in a way that evokes a strong emotional response
a moving story of a faithful dog
movingly adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for moving

moving, impressive, poignant, affecting, touching, pathetic 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

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 moving in a Sentence

a moving story of a faithful dog He gave a moving speech at the memorial service.
Recent Examples on the Web Spufford, an award-winning British writer, tells an intricate, suspenseful and moving story that rises from the mists of America’s prehistory and morphs into an alternate version of America’s story. Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2024 The mileage rate for 2023 is 22 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes for qualified active-duty members of the Armed Forces. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 23 Jan. 2024 Drawing off similar melancholic vibes of another morality fantasy, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), The Age of Adaline is a surprisingly moving film, with sensitive performances by Lively and Harrison Ford, who plays a past lover of Adaline who recognizes her decades later. Kevin Jacobsen and Sammi Burke, EW.com, 17 Nov. 2023 The story of From Hilde, With Love is thus a more ordinary, and more moving and powerful tale of human decency. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2024 Some of the most moving artifacts featured in the show are postcards sent by German soldier Otto Schubert to his future wife. Anne Wallentine, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Jan. 2024 The most moving thing about Santos’s lies is how many of them could be disproved in seconds. Andrew O’Hagan, The New York Review of Books, 1 Feb. 2024 The most moving sequence to me is of Carol and Allen Stark picnicking and hiking with their grandchildren because it’s tenderly paired with Carol describing her fear: no longer being alive with her grandchildren. Liz Moughon, ProPublica, 22 Jan. 2024 The In-Between—SELF’s November Well-Read Book Club selection—is a deeply moving reflection on many of the fears that plague all of us, bringing inevitable life experiences like illness, pain, and death gently to the surface. Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, 12 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'moving.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of moving was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near moving

Cite this Entry

“Moving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moving. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

moving

adjective
mov·​ing
ˈmü-viŋ
1
: changing place or position
a moving target
2
: causing motion or action
3
: having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies
a moving story
4
a
: of or relating to a change of residence
moving expenses
b
: used for moving belongings from one place to another
a moving van
movingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on moving

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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