Definition of movenext
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move

2 of 2

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
The project has since reached a locked edit and is moving through sound, music and VFX, with completion expected by the end of October. Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 Platforms can stay operational for decades, while the commercial electronics industry moves through multiple generations of components. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
As deadline day progressed, Everton felt there were some early warning signs regarding the Balogun move. Tom Burrows, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 The suit framed this move as a significant demotion in both status and pay. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for move
Recent Examples of Synonyms for move
Verb
  • Food spoiled during the outage, and the family temporarily relocated to Lucky’s mother’s home.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In response to a successful challenge, library staff have to relocate the material to an area inaccessible to minors, the law says.
    Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Bonnell also uses a belt drive as standard equipment for quieter, lower-maintenance operation, with an optional 520 chain conversion available for riders who prefer a more traditional setup.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Ronaldinho drove Madonna onto the field at half-time of the World Cup final in a weird little buggy thing.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • But Boone removed him from the lineup before the top of the fourth, shifting José Caballero to shortstop and bringing in Amed Rosario to play third base.
    Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Monthly sales at Poppy Rose have climbed from roughly $30,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars since the business shifted from Etsy to TikTok Shop and adopted print-on-demand.
    Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The instruments can move with greater flexibility than the human hand, while the system filters out natural hand tremors that could affect delicate movements.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The gesture continues a pattern for Swift, who has a long history of quietly funding GoFundMe campaigns for fans and strangers facing medical emergencies, including past donations to families affected by natural disasters and accidents.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • By taking stem cells from a host’s own body and encouraging them to differentiate before mixing them with a commercially available, soluble matrix gel, researchers may have cracked the most critical problems in the transplant process.
    Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The bark can also be stripped from the branch, called girdling, which encourages faster root growth.
    Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • But persuading other American companies to follow Chevron into Venezuela remains one of Washington’s biggest challenges.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Proponents may face an uphill battle persuading Newsom to sign the bill, which creates a unique revenue stream to pay for the program.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Guided Vision will be available in the system Accessibility shortcuts and can also be activated from the TalkBack menu.
    Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
  • China has activated the third generating unit at the Shuangjiangkou Hydropower Station in Sichuan Province, bringing all three units in the first phase into operation.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • After exiting brick-and-mortar retail at Ulta seven years ago, Laura Geller is doubling back — and this time, wants to do it right.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Drivers headed east can exit at Northwest 17th Avenue, continue south across Northwest Seventh Street and turn left at Southwest First Street.
    Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Move.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/move. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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