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move

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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
By 1914, eviction notices were sent to all San Francisco cemeteries ordering them to exhume and move the dead. Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025 Life in the small town seemed to go back to normal, until a year later — when George and Kathy Lutz moved into the home. Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
The redirection of a carrier is a significant military move and often suggests larger operations to come. Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025 The land was acquired by the company through the village in 2018 in a move that angered a lot residents but in 2023 the Foxconn project failed to live up to its original expectation. Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for move
Recent Examples of Synonyms for move
Verb
  • If Doan’s Coyotes records were treated the same way Hawerchuk’s Jets records were, moving from one city to the next as a franchise relocated, then Utah Mammoth star Clayton Keller would be chasing him.
    Murat Ates, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Dinosaur mummy zone Senior author of the study, Paul Sereno, PhD, Professor of Organismal Biology and Anatomy at the University of Chicago, and his team relocated the sites in east-central Wyoming where several famous dinosaur mummies were discovered in the early 20th century.
    Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • While oil continues to drive Saudi Arabia's economy, the kingdom is now expanding into areas such as artificial intelligence, tourism and sports to diversify its growth avenues.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2025
  • These extinctions were driven mostly by European agriculture and the introduction of non-native species that outcompeted Australian animals.
    Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Despite shifting attention, 72 percent of consumers globally still preferred products that do not harm plants or animals, the survey showed.
    Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Something in your circle is shifting, and sweeping it under the rug isn't going to work this time!
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Here's what to know about both recalls, including how many vehicles are affected and what impacted owners should do.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Ultimately, the moment encouraged the Soviet population to agitate for household comforts.
    Justin Worland, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Building a bat house can encourage them to stick around a little longer and eat up all those pesky insects.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Lawmakers in the two states still may be persuaded, and the White House push, which has included an Oval Office meeting for Indiana lawmakers and two trips to Indianapolis by Vice President JD Vance, is expected to continue.
    Isabella Volmert, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
  • According to this speculation, WWE might be attempting to use the leverage of a potential one-year non-compete clause as a way to persuade Andrade to return to the company.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The moon activating Neptune puts you in daydream mode.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The fat overload in astrocytes and microglia activates inflammatory pathways.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • So when Barkley exited Sunday’s Week 8 matchup against the New York Giants at the end of the third quarter, Eagles fans were likely holding their breath.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Trent Battle steps up TCU starting running back Kevorian Barnes exited the game after just one carry with an unknown injury, forcing the Horned Frogs to rely on their depth.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Move.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/move. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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