MOVES Synonyms: 455 Similar and Opposite Words

moves 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of move

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in drives

to set or keep in motion the hands of the wall clock are moved by battery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in shifts

to change one's position don't move while I'm trying to draw your portrait

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in activates

to cause to function this one button moves the whole machine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in exits

to leave a place often for another the police officer told the loiterers to move along

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

moves

2 of 2

noun

plural of move

as in means

an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result retiring early was a smart move

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in movements

the act or an instance of changing position don't make a move

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 moves

Verb

As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases. —

Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 June 2026 Al Weaver, a frequent British television actor, plays Leonard Finch, a curate who moves to Grantchester to assist James Norton’s vicar character Sidney Chambers. —

Pat Saperstein, Variety, 14 June 2026 Change the reserve figure and the valuation moves with it. —

Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026 McConnell regularly moves about the Capitol in a wheelchair, often with the assistance of staff. —

Eric McDaniel, NPR, 14 June 2026 As the aircraft moves backward, the pilot starts each of the primary engines and brings them up to a stable idle. —

David Szondy june 07, New Atlas, 7 June 2026 Graham Platner is set to take questions from voters Sunday at a town hall-style event in Maine as the Democrat moves to stabilize his Senate campaign after new reports about his past treatment of women. —

ABC News, 7 June 2026 With each development milestone, MBDA moves closer to delivering a next-generation air-to-air weapon that combines advanced sensors, extended range, and superior flexibility. —

Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 June 2026 Metro moves California is home to four of the country’s fastest-growing job markets. —

Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 7 June 2026

Noun

Rather than containing culture in a single venue, Son de L’amour moves through spaces, as if insisting that memory should not be stationary. —

Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026 For example, using geometry and the longitudinal position of the home, the team angled the awning over the windows in the main living space so shade falls in front of the house in summer and moves deep into the living area in winter to heat the polished concrete floor. —

Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 13 June 2026 When dance is captured in normal time, people tend to focus on the big moves, but when it's slowed down, Peck notes that even small mistakes or moves can be unintentionally highlighted. —

Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 13 June 2026 Such moves have made Trump a hero in parts of the country where Americans have been unwilling or unable to pivot away from coal. —

Scott Warren, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026 Cann demonstrated toe taps, scissors, and other ball-handling moves while encouraging the reporter through the lesson. —

Daniel Wilkerson, CBS News, 12 June 2026 The concern is whether such stocks shot too high, too fast because of AI mania, and their careening moves have sometimes reversed direction by the hour. —

Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026 In replacing Bowman as GM during the 1986-87 season, Meehan oversaw numerous franchise-changing moves, including Mogilny’s defection from the Soviet Union in 1989. —

ABC News, 6 June 2026 Menšík, now 20, is 6 feet 5 inches with an imposing frame and pale blue eyes, and moves with a low-key self assurance that he is destined for big things. —

Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for moves

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
Under the law, state incentives would be clawed back if a team relocates its stadium, headquarters or training facility outside of Missouri.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026