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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
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 21 May 2025 By all accounts, seeing the interior of the home is a moving experience. Maurice Carlos Ruffin, Time, 21 May 2025
Noun
The move that the Secretary of State made in designating the gangs as foreign terrorist organizations is very important because these groups are getting their weapons from Miami or Colombia. Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025 The move comes as President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and other top government officials this year rain down criticism on judges that are ruling against the administration in scores of court challenges. Carrie Johnson, NPR, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for move
Recent Examples of Synonyms for move
Verb
  • Recently relocating from London to Lisbon, the company has said Puro-Steele’s remit will be to oversee the agency’s strategic growth ambitions, particularly its goal of elevating Portuguese and Iberian Peninsula talent on the global stage.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 28 May 2025
  • Erik said she’s heard of several companies closing or relocating parts of their business.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • The franchise has driven over half a billion hours of streams, with the original accounting for more than 280 hours.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 May 2025
  • Derek Jeter gets his 2,000th career hit, becoming the eighth player in Yankees history to reach the milestone. 2008 — Chase Utley tied the National League lead with his 16th homer and drove in six runs as Philadelphia routed Colorado 20-5.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • That leadership change followed GOP gains through 2024’s Senate Bill 382, which shifted appointment powers from Gov. Josh Stein (D-NC) to Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 28 May 2025
  • At the same time, Putin is successfully stalling the ceasefire talks proposed by Trump – while trying to appear cooperative and shift the blame on Kyiv.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • The Trump administration’s recent shift toward U.S. isolationism regarding global affairs — and particularly those more acutely affecting Europe, such as the war in Ukraine — piled pressure on the U.K. and European Union to agree on a deal.
    Holly Ellyatt,Silvia Amaro, CNBC, 19 May 2025
  • When 23andMe declared bankruptcy, there were myriad concerns about users’ privacy, especially after a 2023 data breach affecting 6.9 million people.
    Michael Barclay, Quartz, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • There is no fee to nominate and self-nominations are encouraged.
    Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025
  • Both trains offer luxury journeys that encourage passengers to partake in the joys of slow travel.
    Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • For fifteen years, the Patriotic Millionaires have waged an earnest battle to persuade wealthy people to lobby for higher taxes on themselves.
    Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
  • The filmmakers told me that Spiegelman’s free-speech run-in with the county school board was instrumental in persuading WNET to back Disaster Is My Muse.
    Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Both labor-intensive and time-consuming, the tool required food professionals and at-home cooks to literally rotate its handle to activate the accompanying beater(s).
    Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
  • Breathing in and sighing out slowly for longer than your in breath with an open mouth can activate the vagus nerve, a crucial component of the parasympathetic nervous system.
    Paul McClure May 24, New Atlas, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • Fischer explained that she's heard a narrative that the show declined in quality about halfway through its run, which lasted from 2005 until 2013, and that the sitcom struggled once series lead Steve Carell exited during season 7.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 29 May 2025
  • Four other transfer quarterbacks also exited with years to spare.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Move.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/move. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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