AFFECTING Synonyms: 169 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'affecting' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of affecting are impressive , moving , pathetic , poignant , and touching . While all these words mean "having the power to produce deep emotion," affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos. // an affecting deathbed reunion

Q: When might 'impressive' be a better fit than 'affecting'?

The synonyms impressive and affecting are sometimes interchangeable, but impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction. // an impressive list of achievements

Q: When is it sensible to use 'moving' instead of 'affecting'?

Although the words moving and affecting have much in common, moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy. // a moving appeal for contributions

Q: When could 'pathetic' be used to replace 'affecting'?

While the synonyms pathetic and affecting are close in meaning, pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt. // pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

Q: When is 'poignant' a more appropriate choice than 'affecting'?

The meanings of poignant and affecting largely overlap; however, poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities. // a poignant documentary on the homeless

Q: When would 'touching' be a good substitute for 'affecting'?

In some situations, the words touching and affecting are roughly equivalent. However, touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion. // the touching innocence in a child's eyes

affecting 1 of 3

adjective

ə-ˈfek-tiŋ

Definition of affecting next

as in emotional

having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies the affecting final scene in the play, when the children are reunited with their father

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

affecting

2 of 3

verb (1)

present participle of affect

as in influencing

to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response their son claims that scary movies don't affect him in the least

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in concerning

to be the business or affair of fortunately, hurricane season doesn't affect the West Coast

Synonyms & Similar Words

affecting

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of affect

as in simulating

to present a false appearance of she affected complete unawareness that we were talking about her, though she must have overheard

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in haunting

to go to or spend time in often a power couple known to affect all the fancy parties in town

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word affecting distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of affecting are impressive, moving, pathetic, poignant, and touching. While all these words mean "having the power to produce deep emotion," affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

an affecting deathbed reunion

When might impressive be a better fit than affecting?

The synonyms impressive and affecting are sometimes interchangeable, but impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

an impressive list of achievements

When is it sensible to use moving instead of affecting?

Although the words moving and affecting have much in common, moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.

a moving appeal for contributions

When could pathetic be used to replace affecting?

While the synonyms pathetic and affecting are close in meaning, pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

When is poignant a more appropriate choice than affecting?

The meanings of poignant and affecting largely overlap; however, 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 affecting?

In some situations, the words touching and affecting are roughly equivalent. However, touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.

the touching innocence in a child's eyes

Examples of affecting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Despite the refrain of the absent father, Suleiman’s relationship with his mother is the most affecting in the novel. —

Hazlitt, 3 Apr. 2024 Throughout the song, the stage increasingly lit up — coming out of near darkness to technicolor — to create an affecting moment paralleling the song's lyrics, which in part finds Joel reflecting on his own legacy to his fans. —

Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 5 Feb. 2024 Water From Your Eyes deliver a fully unplugged take on the tune that’s no less affecting when stripped down to Nate Amos’ acoustic guitar and Rachel Brown’s vocals. —

Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2024 Both are among the most affecting reckonings with national traumas that American musicians have ever made. —

The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for affecting

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

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Style

“Affecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affecting. Accessed 19 Sep. 2024.

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Last Updated: 18 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of affecting

adjective

verb (1)

verb (2)

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Examples of affecting in a Sentence

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