mov ‧ ing /ˈmuːvɪŋ/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ move , ↑ movement , ↑ removal , ↑ remover , ↑ mover ; adjective : ↑ movable , ↑ unmoved , ↑ moving ; verb : ↑ move , ↑ remove ; adverb : ↑ movingly ]
1 . making you feel strong emotions, especially sadness or sympathy
deeply/very/profoundly moving
Bayman’s book about his illness is deeply moving.
moving account/story etc
a moving account of his childhood in Ireland
Attending the memorial service was a moving experience.
2 . [only before noun] changing from one position to another:
a moving stage
fast/slow moving etc
Be careful when changing lanes in fast-moving traffic.
an archer learning to hit a moving target
3 . a moving target something that is changing continuously, so that it is very difficult to criticize it or compete against it:
The company is constantly improving the system, making it a moving target.
4 . the moving spirit formal someone who makes something start to happen:
He was the moving spirit behind the founding of the union.
—movingly adverb :
She spoke movingly about her father’s last days.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ causing strong feelings
▪ emotional causing people to have strong feelings – used especially about experiences, speeches, or subjects that people have strong feelings about:
Returning home after a year in hospital was an emotional experience for Katy.
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He gave an emotional speech at the funeral.
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It was a very emotional moment.
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Abortion rights is a highly emotional issue.
▪ emotive used about issues or language that make people have strong feelings:
Fox hunting is a very emotive issue in Britain.
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‘Indoctrination’ is rather an emotive word.
▪ moving making you feel strong feelings of sadness or sympathy:
Kelly’s book about her illness is deeply moving.
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a moving film
▪ touching making you feel slightly emotional – used especially when someone does something that shows how much they care about another person:
Your loyalty is very touching.
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My son phoned me to wish me good luck, which was a touching gesture.
▪ poignant making you feel strong feelings of sadness or pity, especially when you remember something in the past:
Her youthful expression is a poignant reminder of the passing of time.
▪ sentimental ( also schmaltzy ) informal dealing with emotions such as love and sadness in a way that seems silly:
He found the film too sentimental.
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a schmaltzy comedy