affecting

adjective

af·​fect·​ing ə-ˈfek-tiŋ 

a-

: evoking a strong emotional response

affectingly

ə-ˈfek-tiŋ-lē 

a-

adverb

Synonyms

• 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

The movie’s most affecting moments are between Lynette and her brother, played with disarming cheerful innocence by Gottsagen and with alarming distress when Kenny is placed in tense situations. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025

As the first installment of the deeply affecting (and sadly unfinished) Parable series, Parable of the Sower is an excellent introduction to one of the greatest American authors in recent memory. —Robert English, EW.com, 30 July 2025

The more experiences the young Wash accumulates, the more affecting and engaging the drama becomes. —Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2025

Its most affecting moments reference the AIDS epidemic’s abject cruelty. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025

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