Definition of movenext
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
The light smoke will move south through Georgia and is expected to clear Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Alex Nettles, AJC.com, 31 July 2026 Process and poetry One early decision Placek made was to move away from corporate positioning and toward linguistics, much to the chagrin of some of his more logical clients. HubSpot, 31 July 2026
Noun
Making these three moves right now will help them do just that. Matt Richardson, CBS News, 30 July 2026 Clooney has repeatedly said the move was driven by a desire to give his children a quieter upbringing away from Hollywood, embracing a slower pace of life centered around farming and wine production. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for move
Recent Examples of Synonyms for move
Verb
  • The visit continues the British royal family’s involvement in this edition of the Games, which were relocated to Scotland after the Australian host city of Victoria withdrew and adapted to a smaller format featuring ten sports.
    Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Kamayan moves next door Kamayan ATL, the joyful and widely acclaimed Filipino restaurant on Buford Highway, has relocated to a new space directly next to its original location.
    Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • To prevent speculation that drives up land price without actual construction, the zoning benefits would be granted only on submission of building-permit applications.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
  • Real estate has always been driven by connections between buyers and sellers.
    Heartland MLS®, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
Verb
  • The Manhunters, extraterrestrial, shape-shifting aliens, will be the villains in the series, and Laura Linney would be playing an important Guardian.
    Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • The league shifted its approach to officiating this season with an emphasis on increasing foul calls and diluting the amount of unnecessary physicality in the game.
    Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026
Verb
  • Almost 13,400 customers were affected at 11pm local time, according to a live map from US energy company Avista Utilities, which reported 25 active outages.
    Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Those high aspirations, however, don’t appear to affect Proctor.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Our firm’s community association attorneys encourage everyone to visit these sites to learn more about its activities and how to support them.
    Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Michigan relies on supply chains that are heavily integrated with Canada after decades of policies that encouraged reducing bilateral trade barriers.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • The board also voted down a proposal to increase rider fares to generate between $8 million and $12 million after a lengthy discussion and multiple failed amendments aimed at trying to persuade a majority of directors to pass the motion.
    Katie Langford, Denver Post, 29 July 2026
  • Dr Chris Vas, Associate Professor at the University of Canterbury in southern England, said the EU wants to persuade its manufacturers to go cheaper, the lowest price is more like €15,000 than €10,000.
    Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • Running beta code comes at the consumer’s own risk; diving into the settings to activate features not specifically enabled by Apple will increase that risk.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Air defenses were activated in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, according to state media.
    Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Verb
  • Following a consultation with Groeschner, Schmitt exited the game and slowly walked off the field.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
  • Iran remains incentivized to exercise maximum control over shipping traffic entering and exiting the oil-rich region.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 27 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Move.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/move. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on move

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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