affecting
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of affecting
Explanation
If the final scene has you sniffling and reaching for the Kleenex, the movie you’re watching could be described as affecting, meaning it makes you emotional. You might be familiar with the noun affect, which refers to a feeling or emotion. Affecting is just the adjective form of that word — so you can probably guess that it describes things that provoke strong feelings or emotions. You might watch an affecting basketball game, for example, or see an affecting performance of a play. The feeling caused by something affecting can be good or bad, happy or sad. The key is that it stirs up a strong feeling.
Vocabulary lists containing affecting
Pay Attention! Synonyms for "Interesting"
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Krik? Krak!
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Leadership instability was a "major contributing factor" affecting the quality and safety of maternity services, the review found.
From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026
Many experts consider it likely that the scale of the outbreak has been underestimated, as it is affecting remote regions.
From Barron's • Jun. 24, 2026
The smoke from the fire, which has prompted smoke advisories, has made its way to neighboring communities in the region, affecting many residents living near the warehouse.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2026
Their results suggest that a significant number of people could have low vitamin D year-round without realizing it, potentially affecting bone health, overall well-being, and long-term health outcomes.
From Science Daily • Jun. 24, 2026
Matters affecting the nation’s health have long been a most vital area in which legislation has been passed in the interest of serving the public good.
From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
