move 1 of 2

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

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
Basketball will move from Crypto.com Arena, home to the Lakers, to the Intuit Dome, the Clippers’ new arena, which is set to open in August. Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025 With just 24 more saves, Jansen would move past Smith on the career leader board. Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Noun
In the past, she's posted videos of Devi rocking out to his dad's music on tour and showing off some other impromptu moves reminiscent of his famous father. Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 10 May 2025 According to Jennifer Leonard, the move went smoothly, except for the fact that Doyle decided to hang around. Chris Young Ritzen, CBS News, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for move
Recent Examples of Synonyms for move
Verb
  • As for what will happen to the rides and attractions, the company told PEOPLE nothing is finalized and relocating or selling to other operators are options.
    Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2025
  • Fitting rooms have been relocated to what had previously been back-office space to allow the selling space to be expanded.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • About 150 students and 50 adults were evacuated from an elementary school in Maryland after hours of heavy rains driven by an atmospheric river caused major flooding in multiple eastern states.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Kane was synonymous with Tottenham and had spent nine years driving the team forward with mountains of goals and assists.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Parents and older Americans face work requirements for food assistance House Republicans are looking to shift some of the costs of the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program, known as SNAP, to the states.
    Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
  • For instance, Apple has already shifted some of its manufacturing and export operations to India.
    Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, each time the barriers are raised, the lagoon is effectively closed off — which not only affects traffic coming into Venice (Italy’s second busiest port, and the fifth in the Mediterranean), but prevents the lagoon’s natural action of flushing itself out with the tides.
    Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
  • Be Advised, The Data Can Change On A Dime In our current volatile economic environment, characterized by chaotic tariff rollouts, a crazy roller coaster ride in the stock market, and concerns over global economic shifts, salary information will be affected.
    Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • Goolsbee’s remarks suggest he’s encouraged by the trade truce with China, a separate 90-day pause on double-digit tariffs on other nations, and soft inflation readings for both March and April.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • Essential Utilities on Monday posted first-quarter earnings of $1.03 per share on revenue of $784 million, encouraging Janney Montgomery Scott analyst Michael Gaugler to reiterate a buy rating.
    Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • But when faced with high oil prices in 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Biden flew to the Middle Eastern kingdom to persuade it to ramp up oil production.
    Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • For Syria’s new government, this will be their opportunity to persuade the new administration to do business with a country coming out of a devastating 13-year civil war and mend ties with a leader who was once aligned with the Islamic State and al Qaeda.
    Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Using Pineal Glad Meditation Pineal gland meditation is a breathing technique associated with activating the pineal gland, a small gland in your brain that produces melatonin, a hormone that regulates your sleep and wakefulness.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 12 May 2025
  • Burn bans are automatically activated by Florida counties whenever the Keetch-Byram Drought Index — a scale that measures the dryness of the soil — reaches or exceeds 500.
    Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • If there is a moment to be seized, it only can be seized by a mix superior to what exited amid embarrassment last month.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2025
  • Just as Oakland Unified stands poised to exit this summer from two decades of state receivership after repaying a $100 million loan, the current board majority has no plan to address a new $100 million annual structural deficit facing the district over the next three years.
    Anne Campbell Washington, Mercury News, 16 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Move.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/move. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on move

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!