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
Natasha Perdew Silas, executive director of the Federal Defender Program, said about 20 of the 400 detainees were moved Tuesday to Irwin County. — Reed Williams, AJC.com, 23 Sep. 2026 This movement of the fabric can shorten a hemline and secure a train so someone can easily move about without tripping or having extra fabric dragging on the ground. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
The move paid off against Georgia State, but questions remain about the Knights’ ability to hold up on the line of scrimmage. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026 Zahnd and Holland, the county sheriff, had blasted the move as an effort to defund law enforcement. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for move
Recent Examples of Synonyms for move
Verb
  • Still, with his SAG card in hand thanks to that Pizza Hut commercial his family relocated to Southern California to support his pursuit.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The Connecticut Sun, which moved from Orlando to Connecticut to play at the Mohegan Sun Arena in 2003, are playing their final game Thursday night before the franchise relocates to Houston next season.
    — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Its onboard offerings, wide array of itineraries and shore excursions—particularly those that are food and wine-driven—easily combine education, adventure, and good fun.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The real Johnny Drama stayed at your house for months, and one of the others drove your kids to school.
    — Lane Brown, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Lamont has dismissed Fazio’s proposals as merely shifting costs from utility bills onto tax bills.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
  • In a memo released Wednesday about last-minute changes for her 2027 budget proposal, Levine Cava wrote that 19 employees staffing the volunteer county boards would be shifted to a different department.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Those findings affect the survivor benefits for which service members' families are eligible.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Shifting donor priorities affect voter turnout groups The reasons for the troubled funding landscape are varied and at times unclear, according to nearly two dozen fundraisers and organizers who spoke with the AP.
    — Matt Brown, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • While the rest of the table is encouraging growth and forgiveness, Meredith is refusing to budge, completely stonewalling this apology and completely willing to die on this hill.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The dairy farmer agreed with a comment from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins encouraging Americans to seek out other forms of protein, including turkey, amid a rise in the cost of beef.
    — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Notably, 26% of respondents said they could still be persuaded to vote for either candidate, leaving the race wide open.
    — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Anti-mafia prosecutor Alessandra Cerreti, who has persuaded dozens of women to testify against crime families across all Italy’s crime syndicates, admits the risks are high.
    — Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Gonzalez Reyes then returned to his vehicle and drove away with its police-style siren activated, investigators said.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Nicotine activates reward pathways in the brain, which can create a temporary sense of pleasure and well-being.
    — Hasmeena Kathuria, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • One of the bullets exited her head before reentering her left arm near the elbow, where it was recovered during the autopsy.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Ryan threw three scoreless innings and struck out three batters before exiting, and the Tigers offense took it from there.
    — Christian Romo, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Move.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/move. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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