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
Last week relatives and activists said the artist had been moved from a maximum security prison in Guanajay, in the province of Artemisa, to an unknown location. Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026 Before moving into the live music sector in 2009, Wright was A&R manager for Candid Records. Jem Aswad, Variety, 17 July 2026
Noun
The move would allow voters who have already cast their ballot for a candidate who has dropped out of the race to cast a new ballot. ABC News, 23 July 2026 His administration converted the airfield into a temporary detention camp for people accused of federal immigration violations, a move the county criticized but did not fight in court. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for move
Recent Examples of Synonyms for move
Verb
  • Authorities carried out the evacuations from buildings on slopes and in low-lying areas within a kilometer radius of the disaster site, relocating over 1,100 people, Chongqing authorities said in a WeChat post published Sunday.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • After last month’s fires near the Krome detention center, ICE relocated people out of precautions.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 18 July 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
  • De la Fuente wisely shifted to a more tiki-taka-esque focus with a stout defense moving forward and hoped that his wingers would get healthy as the tournament progressed.
    Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Ossoff asks, shifting to allegations of corruption and incompetence.
    Bill Barrow, Fortune, 19 July 2026
Verb
  • The war has also affected fertilizer supplies and prices, threatening the planting season and worsening the fate of mostly farming communities in northern Nigeria who have struggled to access their farmlands amid a deadly conflict with armed groups.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • The smoke has spread hundreds of miles beyond northwestern Ontario, affecting people far from the fire line.
    Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Verb
  • The fish were illegally introduced in the 1970s, so the agency encourages anglers to pursue the game fish and keep their catches.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026
  • The tradition, known as lördagsgodis, began in the 1950s by Swedish health officials to encourage limiting candy-eating to once a week and prevent cavities.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • But the $1,000 incentive persuaded the couple, whose daughter Maya was born in late March, to start an account anyway.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • But the threat alone has persuaded some ships to abandon their plans to exit the Red Sea heading south.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 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
  • That was a goalless draw for the men’s team against Petrolul Ploiesti in August 1995 being followed by a 1-0 loss in Romania to exit the now defunct Cup Winners’ Cup at the qualifying stage.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • But prices at the pump began to climb again after Iran resumed attacks on ships trying to exit the strait and after the US retaliated and put a blockade on Iranian ports.
    Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Move.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/move. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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