Synonyms of move

move 1 of 2

verb

ˈmüv 

1

as in to relocate

to change the place or position of

I need you to move all your books off that chair before company gets here

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relocate
• remove
• transfer
• shift
• disturb
• transport
• carry
• displace
• replace
• convey
• budge
• haul
• reposition
• transpose
• dislocate
• drive
• transmit
• modify
• alter
• revise
• supersede
• supplant
• transplant
• cart
• lug
• vary
• bear
• remodel
• tote
• remake
• rework
• redo
• revamp
• refashion
• make over

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• set
• secure
• stabilize
• freeze
• fix
• anchor
• moor
• embed
• root
• lodge
• entrench
• implant
• ingrain

2

as in to drive

to set or keep in motion

the hands of the wall clock are moved by battery

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drive
• activate
• propel
• work
• actuate
• stimulate
• trigger
• raise
• impel
• motivate
• provoke
• set off
• stir (up)
• incite
• trip
• whip (up)
• inspire
• fire (up)
• rouse
• foment
• ferment
• excite
• abet
• arouse
• galvanize
• instigate
• inflame

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• control
• check
• regulate
• contain
• restrain
• curb
• inhibit
• constrain
• rein (in)
• bridle

3

as in to shift

to change one's position

don't move while I'm trying to draw your portrait

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shift
• stir
• twitch
• squirm
• budge
• wiggle
• fidget
• locomote
• jiggle
• toss
• wriggle
• fiddle
• writhe
• rouse
• squiggle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• freeze
• remain
• stay
• stabilize
• still
• hang around
• stick around
• tarry

4

as in to affect

to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response

we were deeply moved by the program of patriotic music

Synonyms & Similar Words

• affect
• influence
• impress
• impact
• strike
• touch
• reach
• sway
• get to
• inspire
• tell (on)
• interest
• involve
• bother
• attract
• entrance
• penetrate
• disturb
• try
• carry away
• engage
• transport
• worry
• stir
• dazzle
• concern
• fascinate
• bias
• trouble
• plague
• upset
• harass
• pierce
• distress
• discomfort
• color
• afflict
• stress
• smite
• agitate
• ravish
• enrapture
• perturb
• charm
• enthrall
• enchant
• pester
• fluster
• wring
• captivate
• harry
• discompose
• disquiet
• strain
• bewitch
• allure

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bore
• weary
• pall
• tire
• jade
• underwhelm

5

as in to encourage

to rouse to strong feeling or action

the heartfelt appeal moved the people to reach into their pockets and donate generously

Synonyms & Similar Words

• encourage
• provoke
• stimulate
• stir
• inspire
• motivate
• drive
• incite
• spark
• arouse
• instigate
• fire (up)
• induce
• rev (up)
• excite
• motive
• trigger
• pique
• activate
• ignite
• set off
• build a fire under
• animate
• impassion
• galvanize
• energize
• anger
• bother
• get
• quicken
• vitalize
• inflame
• raise
• fan
• pump up
• kindle
• foment
• upset
• ferment
• tease
• whip (up)
• taunt
• abet
• enrage
• annoy
• key (up)
• aggravate
• irritate
• jeer
• vex
• exasperate
• gall
• madden

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm
• subdue
• soothe
• appease
• placate
• tranquilize
• pacify
• mollify

6

as in to persuade

to cause (someone) to agree with a belief or course of action by using arguments or earnest requests

the report moved me to change my mind about the issue

Synonyms & Similar Words

• persuade
• convince
• bring
• satisfy
• get
• induce
• urge
• convert
• gain
• argue
• win (over)
• attract
• talk (into)
• prevail (on or upon)
• coax
• bring around
• sell
• lure
• prompt
• entice
• seduce
• tempt
• sway
• influence
• cajole
• entreat
• exhort
• snow
• draw
• wheedle
• discuss
• lead on
• incline
• interest
• debate
• converse
• beguile
• allure
• overpersuade
• dispute
• fast-talk
• brainwash
• blandish
• moot
• chew over
• reason (with)
• blarney
• hash (over)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deter
• discourage
• dissuade
• unsell

7

as in to activate

to cause to function

this one button moves the whole machine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• activate
• trigger
• drive
• spark
• power
• start
• generate
• set off
• push
• fuel
• run
• actuate
• ignite
• provoke
• turn on
• touch off
• crank (up)
• charge
• fire
• switch
• launch
• electrify
• stimulate
• release
• energize
• turn over
• trip
• accelerate
• kick over
• reactivate
• discharge
• stir up
• recharge
• incite
• instigate
• excite
• quicken
• arouse
• catalyze
• step up
• jump-start
• kick-start
• vitalize
• speed (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cut
• kill
• shut off
• stop
• cut out
• check
• stick
• turn off
• cut off
• halt
• brake
• draw up
• arrest
• deactivate
• slow
• suppress
• stall
• jam
• repress
• decelerate
• stunt

8

as in to exit

to leave a place often for another

the police officer told the loiterers to move along

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exit
• depart
• go
• get
• flee
• evacuate
• start
• escape
• fly
• quit
• part
• pull out
• withdraw
• get off
• bail
• run along
• walk out
• peel off
• retire
• push off
• push on
• shove (off)
• bail out
• dig out
• cut out
• beat it
• take off
• clear out
• step (along)
• book
• go off
• clear off
• emigrate
• retreat
• take a hike
• pack (up or off)
• begone
• buzz (off)
• sally (forth)
• pike (out or off)
• hit the road
• skip
• set out
• take a powder
• bugger off
• scarper
• bug out
• strike out
• bug off
• vamoose
• pull stakes
• vacate
• abandon
• get out
• remove
• run away
• abscond
• step out
• go out
• desert
• decamp
• forsake
• adjourn
• scram
• light out
• scat
• mizzle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• come
• arrive
• stay
• remain
• show up
• settle
• dwell
• close
• abide
• turn up
• reach
• approach
• hit
• land
• lodge
• near
• tarry

move

2 of 2

noun

1

as in means

an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result

retiring early was a smart move

Synonyms & Similar Words

• means
• measure
• step
• shift
• action
• attempt
• effort
• resource
• doing
• act
• expedient
• initiative
• procedure
• operation
• try
• process
• proceeding
• activity
• dealing
• deed
• project
• course
• success
• work
• proposal
• go
• coup
• feat
• pass
• exploit
• endeavor
• thing
• event
• while
• enterprise
• triumph
• crack
• undertaking
• stab
• attainment
• business
• achievement
• accomplishment
• shot
• trouble
• fling
• trial
• proposition
• pains
• labor
• exertion
• affair
• essay
• resort
• whack
• countermove
• makeshift
• counterstep
• stopgap
• countermeasure

2

as in shifting

the act or an instance of changing position

don't make a move

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shifting
• shift
• movement
• relocation
• motion
• stirring
• stir
• flapping
• migration
• twitching
• mobility
• dislocation
• squirm
• locomotion
• waving
• motility
• squirming
• writhing
• fiddling
• fidgeting
• motivity
• wriggling
• flailing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• immobility
• stop
• inertia
• finish
• pause
• termination
• motionlessness
• halt
• stillness
• expiration
• shutdown
• cessation
• ending
• stoppage
• lapse
• discontinuance
• inertness
• shutoff
• surcease

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

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

Recent Examples of move

Verb

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive neurological condition that slowly degrades the body's motor neurons, which enable normal muscle functions like moving, speaking, eating, and breathing. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026

Ava gets the job, and the show goes on… but Deborah doesn’t move past it. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2026

Noun

The next moves for oil prices will depend on how many oil tankers can start exiting the Strait of Hormuz and how easy their passage is. —Stan Choe, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026

But while oil prices may be falling, gas prices will take longer to reflect the moves. —Steve Kopack, NBC news, 8 Apr. 2026

Phrases Containing move

• get a move on
• on the move