move 1 of 2

Definition of movenext
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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
As part of the launch, Amazon only moved sellers’ inbound goods from the port to an Amazon fulfillment center. Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 11 June 2026 Third, move up to 600 officers out of administrative roles and back into public-facing police work. Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
Noun
That marks a sharp reversal from April, when investors largely expected the Fed’s next move would be a rate cut. Mike Winters, CNBC, 10 June 2026 Head coach Mike Vrabel foresees the Patriots making a move to add at the position coming out of minicamp. Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for move
Recent Examples of Synonyms for move
Verb
  • The series follows the Clyburns, a wealthy New York City family who relocates to Montana’s Madison River Valley following the deaths of family patriarch Preston (Russell) and his brother Paul (Fox), who were killed in a plane crash.
    Cat Cardenas, Variety, 10 June 2026
  • The transition to the voucher program took effect on June 1, when families participating in the MSP were prompted to either relocate with the emergency vouchers or seek housing through an alternative party.
    Lyanne Wang, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • Ties have cooled in recent years between the two sides – while Pyongyang drove closer to Moscow.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
  • Advocates have long criticized the conditions at the Aurora facility, and those complaints — alongside concerns that more facilities could open in the state — helped drive HB 1276’s contents.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • The focus then shifted to her head.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
  • The Stanley Cup Final shifted to Las Vegas for Game 3 with the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes knotted at 1-1 after splitting the opening two games in Raleigh.
    Matt Reigle, FOXNews.com, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026
  • On March 1 of this year, the Qatari soccer federation postponed all matches during the ongoing war between Israel and Iran while other sporting events in the region were also affected.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • While most college broadcast-journalism programs tend to encourage would-be talent to ditch their regional accents in favor of a more neutral, untraceable delivery, TV pros who came up in the bigs aren’t subject to that sort of verbal nullification.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 June 2026
  • The event, called Fulfillment Center, was geared toward people of all ages who were encouraged to come, put their phone in a cotton bag and engage with one of the many activities centered around reading, writing, making and playing at a long, communal table.
    Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • The administration has persuaded several dozen countries to take in deportees who are not their own citizens, including African countries plagued by armed conflict, civil unrest and political turmoil, like South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
    Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 12 June 2026
  • Pino’s attorneys were unsuccessful in persuading Tinkler Mendez to bar the claim from being mentioned in the trial.
    David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams.
    Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 8 June 2026
  • Even 15 minutes of disconnection allows the brain’s default mode network to activate, when memory consolidation and creative connections actually occur.
    William Jones June 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • The Dodgers stretched their lead with two runs in the seventh inning and another in the eighth, Ohtani exiting along the way.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 12 June 2026
  • Earlier in the game Thursday, Dodgers starting pitcher Justin Wrobleski exited with a bruised right hamstring.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Move.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/move. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.

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