Definition of movenext
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move

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb move differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of move are actuate, drive, and impel. While all these words mean "to set or keep in motion," move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position.

moved the furniture

In what contexts can actuate take the place of move?

The words actuate and move can be used in similar contexts, but actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion.

turbines actuated by waterpower

When might drive be a better fit than move?

While in some cases nearly identical to move, drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus.

a ship driven aground by hurricane winds

Where would impel be a reasonable alternative to move?

The synonyms impel and move are sometimes interchangeable, but impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus.

a candidate impelled by ambition

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 move
Verb
One man is the center of gravity for the biggest market-moving stories of the day - Elon Musk. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026 Fisher lived in a charming Spanish-style estate high up in the Hollywood Hills, and her mom, at Fisher’s behest, moved into the neighboring cottage. — Michael Gioia, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
However, Walter and TWG Global—Walter’s holding company—posit the move was unrelated to the investigation completely. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 That move will likely result in higher prescription costs and increase premiums for about half of recipients, an administration official told ABC News. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for move
Recent Examples of Synonyms for move
Verb
  • In the 1960s, archaeologists carried out a massive project to dismantle and relocate the temple, moving it out of the path of rising waters created by the Aswan High Dam.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Somewhere down the line, Sheridan relocated and retitled the show.
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Zuckerberg and Wang want Muse Wonder and the more powerful Muse Wonder Full to drive Muse, Meta’s personal AI agent, which can act on people’s behalf.
    — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • To help banish the endless procrastination, National Geographic’s 2027 list of 25 must-visit destinations for the year ahead is one of its most timely and experience-driven recommendations yet.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • They are discovered well beyond the bounds of the strategic map, where the winds shift, the old answers sink, and the pilot must find the way by dead reckoning.
    — Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The autumn sun is drifting southward and the angle of shadows is shifting.
    — Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Miller's new ad opens with a somber sequence of close-ups of various people's faces as the congressman talks about how divorce affects families.
    — Lara Korte The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • State officials say those affected are eligible for 24 months of free identity-protection services and identity-restoration help.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Palestine Action founder Huda Ammori encouraged joining offshoot groups to circumvent the ban, the Telegraph reported.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Meta encourages its users to name their AIs—and encourages its AIs to think like humans.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Janabi said one of the biggest challenges has been persuading those who are infected to seek medical assistance, adding that some deaths occur in the community outside of health centers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Mamut and Grönberg were persuaded by Paul Best, a new arrival at Elliott, who believed that the eclipse of brick-and-mortar retail by online commerce had been overstated, and that certain chains could flourish if well capitalized.
    — Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Two letters redirect actions MuTRAP is a backdoor attack, also known as a Trojan attack, in which malicious behavior is embedded in a model and activated only when a specific trigger appears.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Ukraine received no warning from its partners ahead of the first wave of attacks, and information about a second wave arrived too late for air raid sirens to be activated in time, air force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said on national television.
    — SAMYA KULLAB, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Understanding the financial consequences to both the business and the other marital assets—such as exiting a legal agreement or selling property—is time well spent before the terms of a divorce are accepted.
    — Catherine Shanahan, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • After the couple exited the hotel and were detained, officers executed a search warrant on their hotel room, recovering a firearm and supporting evidence consistent with the crime scene, police said.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Move.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/move. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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