French word

bouleversant

Pronunciation

IPA/buləvɛʁsɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adjectivemoving

Example

Le film était bouleversant.

The film was moving.

Illustration for bouleversant (moving)

More examples

Son récit était bouleversant.

His story was moving.

Core concept

A heart jolted so deeply that the feeling lingers long after the event.

Common phrases

  • un film bouleversant

    a moving film

  • un récit bouleversant

    a moving story

  • un moment bouleversant

    a moving moment

Similar words

émouvant: Gently moving in a way that leaves a warm, lingering feeling.
touchant: Touching through simple, heartfelt moments that stir strong emotion.
poignant: Poignant in its sharp evocation of pain or sadness, leaving a deep impression.
déchirant: Heartbreaking enough to make the sorrow feel as if it tears the heart apart.

Definition in French

Décrit quelque chose qui provoque une émotion très forte et durable, capable de toucher profondément.

Word origin

Bouleversant comes from the present participle of bouleverser, which originally meant to overturn something before developing the figurative sense of shaking someone deeply.

Usage tips

  • Bouleversant often describes painful or shocking experiences as well as moving ones, while touchant and émouvant are often milder.

Other meanings

  • shockingadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word