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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
This month will be a great time to focus on moving forward with a sense of clarity and peace and aligning with the right people, places, and things by the end of April. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2025 The smoke has been in northern Wisconsin since July 29, and slowly moved south to affect the rest of the state in the following days. Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
The players decided together to make a unified move. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 21 July 2025 This move retires the old AAC acronym—which often got mixed up with the ACC—but introduces a new challenge: competing for search engine optimization with the 2010 George Clooney spy thriller of the same name. Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for move
Recent Examples of Synonyms for move
Verb
  • Industry sources report that several Hungarian companies are already considering relocating operations to more crypto-friendly jurisdictions in the Baltics or elsewhere in Europe.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Eight horses died in the blaze, while Cox and the homeowners saved 10 others that have relocated to other stables in the area.
    Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • That in turn drove low wages for workers, high staff turnover and limited capacity for children.
    Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 26 July 2025
  • Holmquist noted an increase in pay for bus drivers and the $11 million spent on stipends to parents who drove their kids to school after cuts were made to magnet transportation.
    Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Since the 2000s, Fox's focus has shifted from acting to working tirelessly toward a cure for Parkinson’s after being diagnosed with the disease in 1991 at age 29.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 26 July 2025
  • But the international mood is shifting away from the US and Israeli position as famine-like conditions grip Gaza.
    Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • That won’t impact students who were already enrolled in their schools, but could affect new and transferring students.
    Rory Linnane, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025
  • Performance was only marginally affected, but the lack of a V8 had altered the vehicle’s character.
    Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • Community members are encouraged to see the stadium before the start of the 2025 football season.
    Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 25 July 2025
  • During his latter stint on the council, Spelman called on Austin police to reevaluate how officers spent their time and encouraged the city to consider alternative programs to reduce crime.
    Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Eventually, the victim is persuaded to contact an IT security representative, who, in fact, is part of the ransomware operation.
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 26 July 2025
  • During an interview with The Standard, Ozzy admitted that even though he was intoxicated during the violent incident, that didn't persuade him to stop drinking.
    Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Leo activates your solar 10th house, urging bold moves, leadership, and visibility.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 24 July 2025
  • This induces a meditative, parasympathetic state—activating your body’s natural healing processes and reducing cortisol (stress hormone) levels.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • One Reddit thread details several different negative experiences drivers had sitting in traffic while trying to exit to the airport.
    Charles Singh, The Tennessean, 29 July 2025
  • The Dragon spacecraft docked at the orbital outpost following a 28-hour journey, allowing the crew to exit the vehicle and enter the space station through its Harmony module.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Move.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/move. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

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