affecting

adjective

af·​fect·​ing ə-ˈfek-tiŋ 

a-

: evoking a strong emotional response

affectingly

ə-ˈfek-tiŋ-lē 

a-

adverb

Synonyms of affecting

• emotional
• impressive
• moving
• touching

Choose the Right Synonym for affecting

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 affecting in a Sentence

He begins his book with an affecting description of his difficult childhood.

the affecting final scene in the play, when the children are reunited with their father

Recent Examples on the Web

Each emotional beat arrives with soft footsteps, and is all the more affecting for it. — Literary Hub, 16 Apr. 2026

Some of the day’s most affecting moments came from first-time nominees still processing how quickly their lives have changed. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 18 May 2026

But the most affecting moment – both in song and on the album – comes at the end, with Bono singing a capella, his voice catching on the final lines as the song ends cold. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2026

The film is an affecting and effective portrait of Adrover today, picturing him at home with his dog, fashion archive, and ongoing artistic projects. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of affect entry 2

First Known Use

1720, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for affecting

• bisecting
• collecting
• connecting
• correcting
• defecting
• deflecting
• detecting
• directing
• dissecting
• effecting
• ejecting
• electing

Kids Definition

affecting

adjective

af·​fect·​ing ə-ˈfek-tiŋ 

a-

: causing a feeling of pity, sympathy, or sorrow

affectingly

-tiŋ-lē 

adverb