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

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Relevance

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as in drives

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

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as in shifts

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

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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

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as in provokes

to rouse to strong feeling or action the heartfelt appeal moved the people to reach into their pockets and donate generously

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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

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as in activates

to cause to function this one button moves the whole machine

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as in exits

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

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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

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as in movements

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

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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

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for moves

Verb

Potential new home states have presumably offered significant incentives if Paramount relocates.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
Moving compute to orbit relocates the physical limit rather than removing it, and the limit lands next on memory.

— Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of relocates

Verb

When its waters warm in just the right places, the jet stream — the fast-moving river of air that steers storms — often shifts its path.

— Sarah Moore, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026
This discussion point also shifts the conversation from staying in the past towards the future.

— Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of shifts

Verb

The result is a drug delivery system that activates only when needed, avoiding the risk of long-term administration of needlessly high doses.

— Mike McRae August 19, New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026
Whether positive or challenging, everyone will see it while the Scorpio moon activates Jupiter.

— USA TODAY, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of activates

Verb

There have been a lot of ins and outs in the transfer market, with the two biggest exits those of Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski up front.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Jesse Whittock back with you on the international film and TV news train, as the industry exits its quiet summer period and heads for festival season.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026