moving

adjective

mov·​ing ˈmü-viŋ 

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

ˈmü-viŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• affecting
• emotional
• impactful
• impressive
• poignant
• stirring
• touching

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

In a stunningly moving scene, Sam leads his shaken and shattered partner, Michael (Omari Douglas), to safety amid an unexpected and bloody shootout at their apartment. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024

These scenes, combined with Tendler’s detailing of her relationship with her mother, make for some of the best and most moving writing in the book, to say nothing of a very beautiful chapter on her French bulldog, Petunia, toward the end. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2024

Sheryl gets a teary good-bye scene with her granddaughters, but perhaps the most moving moment is when Kristen — who admits to how complicated this is given the current status of her relationship with her mother — brings David in to perform last rites if Sheryl wants them. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 25 July 2024

The very moving results brings to mind find-the-river classics like REM’s Automatic For the People. —Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing moving

• get moving
• moving force/spirit
• moving picture
• moving staircase
• moving van
• moving violation

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