Movingly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a way that powerfully influences the emotions or sentiments of individuals
2. In a manner that profoundly resonates with the heart and feelings of people
3. Expressed or done so as to deeply affect feelings and evoke strong emotions

Etymology: "Movingly" is simply "moving" with the adverb ending "-ly" attached, and the adverb ending has a long pedigree of its own. The "-ly" comes from Old English "-līce," which was built on a root meaning "body" or "form," so an adjective like "like" plus this ending gave a sense of "in the manner of." Over the centuries the Old English form shortened to Middle English "-ly," and it is now one of the most productive suffixes in the language. The adjective "moving" is far older in its physical sense than in its emotional one. It comes from the verb "move," which in Old English meant to set in motion or change position, and the emotional sense of "stirring feelings" developed from that idea of being stirred or shifted. Adding "-ly" to a participle-based adjective produces an adverb describing an action done in a way that stirs the heart, so "movingly" describes speech, music, or writing that touches the emotions deeply.

Synonyms: emotionally, touchingly, heartfeltly, effectively, inspiringly

Antonyms: unemotionally, coldly, indifferently, unfeelingly, dispassionately