moving 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmü-viŋ How to pronounce moving (audio)
Definition of movingnext
as in emotional
having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies he gave a truly moving graduation speech that had some graduates in tears

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

moving

2 of 2

verb

present participle of move
1
as in relocating
to change the place or position of I need you to move all your books off that chair before company gets here

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in driving
to set or keep in motion the hands of the wall clock are moved by battery

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in shifting
to change one's position don't move while I'm trying to draw your portrait

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in affecting
to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response we were deeply moved by the program of patriotic music

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5
as in provoking
to rouse to strong feeling or action the heartfelt appeal moved the people to reach into their pockets and donate generously

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in persuading
to cause (someone) to agree with a belief or course of action by using arguments or earnest requests the report moved me to change my mind about the issue

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7
as in activating
to cause to function this one button moves the whole machine

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8
as in exiting
to leave a place often for another the police officer told the loiterers to move along

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word moving distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of moving are affecting, impressive, pathetic, poignant, and touching. While all these words 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

How do affecting and moving relate to one another?

Affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

an affecting deathbed reunion

In what contexts can impressive take the place of moving?

While in some cases nearly identical to moving, impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

an impressive list of achievements

When can pathetic be used instead of moving?

The meanings of pathetic and moving largely overlap; however, pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

When could poignant be used to replace moving?

The words poignant and moving are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 moving?

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

the touching innocence in a child's eyes

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of moving
Adjective
Dold capitalizes on these qualities with his funny and moving performance. — Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026 Citations were given for 39 hazardous moving violations and 65 non-moving violations. — Kendrick Calfee may 24, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2026
Verb
The fast-moving blaze has burned over 4,100 acres and has prompted evacuations near Reno, Nevada. — Max Golembo, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026 Many of the newcomers are software-centric and fast-moving, which helps distinguish them from traditional defense contractors. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for moving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moving
  1. emotional
  2. relocating
  3. driving
  4. shifting
  5. affecting
  6. provoking
  7. persuading
  8. activating
Adjective
  • The Moon enters Gemini and your 4th House of Home and Family, bringing movement to household plans, family messages, private thoughts, or emotional memories.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • An emotional vigil was held in Garfield, New Jersey, on Thursday to remember two children who died after being swept into the Passaic River.
    — Andrew Ramos, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of emotional
Verb
  • Walter Boys centers on city teen Jackie (Nikki Rodriguez) relocating to a small town to live with her new guardians and family friends after losing her parents and sister in an accident.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The company is relocating its Atlanta showroom from Collier Road.
    — Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of relocating
Verb
  • These types of conversations help teens feel understood and strengthen trust, while uncovering more about what is really driving the desire to change up their look.
    — Liz Regalia, Parents, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Nearly 30 years to the day that Shakur was gunned down in the passenger seat of a BMW Knight was driving, Davis is accused of murder for allegedly giving his crew the order to open fire on Shakur in retaliation for a fight.
    — Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of driving
Verb
  • For such companies, shifting overseas may be the only way to stay in business.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • New technologies, shifting customer behavior and fast-moving targets mean that industry executives must both stay on their toes and stay abreast of the tools coming to market that will equip them to succeed in shopping’s next era.
    — Vogue Business, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of shifting
Verb
  • The event featured Georgia's congressional, Senate, House, and gubernatorial candidates discussing key economic issues affecting the state and nation.
    — Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Radio got hit with a double whammy of bad news last week, affecting both AM and FM bands.
    — Richard Wagoner, Daily News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of affecting
Verb
  • The author warns that humanity's insistence on supremacy could lead to conflict with advanced AI, even provoking existential threats.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Even when the play returns to the familiar rhythm of Shaw provoking Dreyfuss and Scheider stepping in to restore peace, the performances keep the interactions engaging.
    — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
Definition of provoking
Verb
  • Barron’s reported in mid-July that Keim tied himself to Mohamed Coulibaly, who allegedly authored a scam to cheat NFL players out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by persuading them to invest in fake Shopify stores.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Explaining what the information means—and persuading people to act on it—becomes more valuable.
    — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of persuading
Verb
  • New York City is activating its heat and flash flood emergency plans for Thursday and Friday due to dangerous temperatures and storms in the forecast.
    — Katie Houlis, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Beyond sleep, tai chi helps lower blood pressure by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, the network of nerves that relaxes the body after stress or danger.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of activating

Phrases Containing moving

Browse Nearby Words

movies
moving
moving picture
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Cite this Entry

“Moving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moving. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on moving

Nglish: Translation of moving for Spanish Speakers

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