Synonyms of moves

moves 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of move

1

as in relocates

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

• relocates
• shifts
• removes
• transfers
• transports
• disturbs
• transposes
• displaces
• conveys
• replaces
• carries
• repositions
• hauls
• dislocates
• budges
• drives
• transmits
• transplants
• modifies
• alters
• supersedes
• supplants
• carts
• revises
• lugs
• varies
• reworks
• totes
• bears
• remakes
• makes over
• remodels
• redoes
• revamps
• refashions

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sets
• freezes
• stabilizes
• secures
• fixes
• anchors
• roots
• embeds
• lodges
• moors
• implants
• entrenches
• ingrains

2

as in drives

to set or keep in motion

the hands of the wall clock are moved by battery

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drives
• activates
• propels
• works
• actuates
• impels
• stimulates
• triggers
• raises
• provokes
• motivates
• stirs (up)
• incites
• sets off
• trips
• ferments
• inspires
• whips (up)
• excites
• rouses
• fires (up)
• foments
• arouses
• abets
• galvanizes
• instigates
• inflames

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• controls
• contains
• checks
• regulates
• restrains
• curbs
• inhibits
• constrains
• reins (in)
• bridles

3

as in shifts

to change one's position

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shifts
• stirs
• squirms
• twitches
• wiggles
• fidgets
• locomotes
• jiggles
• budges
• tosses
• writhes
• wriggles
• fiddles
• rouses
• squiggles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• freezes
• remains
• stays
• stills
• hangs around
• stabilizes
• sticks around
• tarries

4

as in influences

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

• influences
• affects
• impresses
• impacts
• touches
• strikes
• reaches
• sways
• inspires
• involves
• tells (on)
• interests
• gets to
• bothers
• penetrates
• attracts
• stirs
• dazzles
• disturbs
• fascinates
• concerns
• engages
• tries
• carries away
• transports
• troubles
• entrances
• worries
• colors
• plagues
• upsets
• biases
• stresses
• pierces
• harasses
• enchants
• afflicts
• perturbs
• enraptures
• ravishes
• enthralls
• smites
• captivates
• distresses
• agitates
• flusters
• charms
• disquiets
• pesters
• discomposes
• wrings
• harries
• bewitches
• strains
• discomforts
• allures

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bores
• wearies
• tires
• palls
• jades
• underwhelms

5

as in provokes

to rouse to strong feeling or action

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• provokes
• encourages
• stimulates
• stirs
• inspires
• motivates
• sparks
• arouses
• drives
• incites
• instigates
• excites
• motives
• induces
• fires (up)
• triggers
• revs (up)
• piques
• activates
• impassions
• ignites
• animates
• sets off
• builds a fire under
• galvanizes
• energizes
• fans
• quickens
• angers
• vitalizes
• gets
• bothers
• inflames
• raises
• pumps up
• enrages
• kindles
• teases
• upsets
• keys (up)
• foments
• ferments
• whips (up)
• taunts
• abets
• annoys
• aggravates
• maddens
• irritates
• exasperates
• jeers
• vexes
• galls

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calms
• soothes
• subdues
• appeases
• tranquilizes
• placates
• pacifies
• mollifies

6

as in persuades

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

• persuades
• convinces
• brings
• satisfies
• gets
• induces
• urges
• gains
• argues
• wins (over)
• converts
• talks (into)
• prevails (on or upon)
• attracts
• brings around
• coaxes
• prompts
• lures
• seduces
• sells
• entices
• influences
• tempts
• sways
• cajoles
• exhorts
• entreats
• wheedles
• draws
• leads on
• discusses
• snows
• inclines
• blandishes
• interests
• beguiles
• allures
• debates
• fast-talks
• blarneys
• disputes
• converses
• overpersuades
• brainwashes
• hashes (over)
• reasons (with)
• chews over
• moots

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourages
• deters
• dissuades
• unsells

7

as in activates

to cause to function

this one button moves the whole machine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• activates
• triggers
• sparks
• drives
• powers
• starts
• generates
• fuels
• sets off
• pushes
• runs
• actuates
• provokes
• ignites
• turns on
• touches off
• cranks (up)
• charges
• fires
• switches
• launches
• electrifies
• energizes
• stimulates
• releases
• turns over
• trips
• accelerates
• kicks over
• reactivates
• discharges
• stirs up
• recharges
• excites
• incites
• instigates
• arouses
• quickens
• steps up
• catalyzes
• speeds (up)
• vitalizes
• kick-starts
• jump-starts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cuts
• kills
• stops
• turns off
• cuts out
• shuts off
• brakes
• checks
• arrests
• sticks
• stalls
• halts
• jams
• cuts off
• slows
• draws up
• deactivates
• suppresses
• represses
• decelerates
• stunts

8

as in exits

to leave a place often for another

the police officer told the loiterers to move along

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exits
• departs
• goes
• gets
• starts
• escapes
• flees
• evacuates
• parts
• quits
• flies
• walks out
• withdraws
• runs along
• bails
• pulls out
• gets off
• shoves (off)
• cuts out
• retires
• pushes off
• goes off
• digs out
• peels off
• packs (up or off)
• bails out
• beats it
• pushes on
• steps (along)
• books
• takes off
• skips
• retreats
• bugs off
• clears out
• clears off
• buzzes (off)
• emigrates
• sallies (forth)
• scarpers
• takes a hike
• buggers off
• sets out
• hits the road
• takes a powder
• bugs out
• pulls stakes
• vamooses
• strikes out
• abandons
• removes
• runs away
• pikes (out or off)
• vacates
• gets out
• absconds
• goes out
• steps out
• forsakes
• scats
• deserts
• lights out
• decamps
• mizzles
• scrams
• adjourns

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• comes
• arrives
• remains
• stays
• turns up
• shows up
• dwells
• settles
• approaches
• closes
• abides
• reaches
• lands
• hits
• nears
• lodges
• tarries

moves

2 of 2

noun

plural of move

1

as in means

an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result

retiring early was a smart move

Synonyms & Similar Words

• means
• measures
• steps
• shifts
• attempts
• efforts
• things
• resources
• actions
• acts
• tries
• goes
• activities
• procedures
• works
• initiatives
• dealings
• processes
• expedients
• feats
• proceedings
• doings
• operations
• projects
• proposals
• deeds
• passes
• successes
• coups
• events
• endeavors
• accomplishments
• triumphs
• enterprises
• cracks
• exploits
• courses
• achievements
• pains
• attainments
• exertions
• affairs
• undertakings
• countermoves
• propositions
• troubles
• stabs
• businesses
• flings
• countermeasures
• trials
• essays
• resorts
• whacks
• shots
• labors
• whiles
• countersteps
• makeshifts
• stopgaps

2

as in movements

the act or an instance of changing position

don't make a move

Synonyms & Similar Words

• movements
• shifts
• motions
• stirrings
• stirs
• relocations
• migrations
• squirms
• dislocations
• locomotions
• mobilities
• motivities
• motilities
• fiddlings

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stops
• pauses
• immobilities
• finishes
• inertias
• stoppages
• halts
• endings
• lapses
• terminations
• shutdowns
• discontinuances
• expirations
• cessations
• shutoffs
• surceases

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of moves

Verb

Trainers then lead participants in a 45-minute full-body workout before the class moves into another room fashioned as a recovery space with art and quiet music. — Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Interestingly, the researchers also found that the three-dimensional arrangement or atomic orientation of the material could create different ray patterns, giving us more control over how heat moves through the material. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026

Melting polar ice halts the North Atlantic Current, which moves warm ocean currents northeast across the Atlantic. — Peter Prengaman, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026

Meanwhile, William and Charles’ relationship may face further strain when Prince Harry moves back to the UK at the end of August 2026. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 24 Aug. 2026

The Moon in Capricorn moves through your 7th House of Partnership while squaring Venus in Libra and your 4th House of Home, Family, and Emotional Roots. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

Raman contends that Bass’ signature program Inside Safe, which dismantles encampments and moves people living there into motels, hotels and interim housing, is overly expensive and unsustainable. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

As the moon moves into Earth’s shadow, sunlight reaching its surface has first passed through Earth’s atmosphere. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Beckman stays with the play well and moves quickly without going out of position. — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Noun

Cieloween explained that the moves shown by participants vary widely. — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

Teams can’t do that without outbound moves, and SKC’s roster didn’t have many players with value coming into 2026; the team has signed 17 new players this year. — Tom Bogert, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Page compares hair going through a brush the way water moves as a river. — Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

In corresponding moves, the Angels recalled infielder-outfielder Christian Moore and outfielder-catcher Gustavo Campero from triple-A Salt Lake. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

These moves are happening all around the world at the same time. — CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026

Absent such moves, the solution to higher borrowing costs is likely more repression. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026

Brad Biggs' 10 thoughts with one preseason game remaining and a host of roster moves looming. — Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

Then Saturday evening, showers and storms become likely as a cold front moves into the area. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2026