Synonyms of moves

moves 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of move

1

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

• relocates
• shifts
• removes
• transfers
• transports
• disturbs
• transposes
• displaces
• conveys
• replaces
• carries
• repositions
• hauls
• dislocates
• budges
• drives
• transmits
• transplants
• modifies
• alters
• supersedes
• supplants
• carts
• revises
• lugs
• varies
• reworks
• totes
• bears
• remakes
• makes over
• remodels
• redoes
• revamps
• refashions

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sets
• freezes
• stabilizes
• secures
• fixes
• anchors
• roots
• embeds
• lodges
• moors
• implants
• entrenches
• ingrains

2

as in drives

to set or keep in motion

the hands of the wall clock are moved by battery

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drives
• activates
• propels
• works
• actuates
• impels
• stimulates
• triggers
• raises
• provokes
• motivates
• stirs (up)
• incites
• sets off
• trips
• ferments
• inspires
• whips (up)
• excites
• rouses
• fires (up)
• foments
• arouses
• abets
• galvanizes
• instigates
• inflames

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• controls
• contains
• checks
• regulates
• restrains
• curbs
• inhibits
• constrains
• reins (in)
• bridles

3

as in shifts

to change one's position

don't move while I'm trying to draw your portrait

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shifts
• stirs
• squirms
• twitches
• wiggles
• fidgets
• locomotes
• jiggles
• budges
• tosses
• writhes
• wriggles
• fiddles
• rouses
• squiggles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• freezes
• remains
• stays
• stills
• hangs around
• stabilizes
• sticks around
• tarries

4

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

• influences
• affects
• impresses
• impacts
• touches
• strikes
• reaches
• sways
• inspires
• involves
• tells (on)
• interests
• gets to
• bothers
• penetrates
• attracts
• stirs
• dazzles
• disturbs
• fascinates
• concerns
• engages
• tries
• carries away
• transports
• troubles
• entrances
• worries
• colors
• plagues
• upsets
• biases
• stresses
• pierces
• harasses
• enchants
• afflicts
• perturbs
• enraptures
• ravishes
• enthralls
• smites
• captivates
• distresses
• agitates
• flusters
• charms
• disquiets
• pesters
• discomposes
• wrings
• harries
• bewitches
• strains
• discomforts
• allures

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bores
• wearies
• tires
• palls
• jades
• underwhelms

5

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

• provokes
• encourages
• stimulates
• stirs
• inspires
• motivates
• sparks
• arouses
• drives
• incites
• instigates
• excites
• motives
• induces
• fires (up)
• triggers
• revs (up)
• piques
• activates
• impassions
• ignites
• animates
• sets off
• builds a fire under
• galvanizes
• energizes
• fans
• quickens
• angers
• vitalizes
• gets
• bothers
• inflames
• raises
• pumps up
• enrages
• kindles
• teases
• upsets
• keys (up)
• foments
• ferments
• whips (up)
• taunts
• abets
• annoys
• aggravates
• maddens
• irritates
• exasperates
• jeers
• vexes
• galls

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calms
• soothes
• subdues
• appeases
• tranquilizes
• placates
• pacifies
• mollifies

6

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

• persuades
• convinces
• brings
• satisfies
• gets
• induces
• urges
• gains
• argues
• wins (over)
• converts
• talks (into)
• prevails (on or upon)
• attracts
• brings around
• coaxes
• prompts
• lures
• seduces
• sells
• entices
• influences
• tempts
• sways
• cajoles
• exhorts
• entreats
• wheedles
• draws
• leads on
• discusses
• snows
• inclines
• blandishes
• interests
• beguiles
• allures
• debates
• fast-talks
• blarneys
• disputes
• converses
• overpersuades
• brainwashes
• hashes (over)
• reasons (with)
• chews over
• moots

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourages
• deters
• dissuades
• unsells

7

as in activates

to cause to function

this one button moves the whole machine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• activates
• triggers
• sparks
• drives
• powers
• starts
• generates
• fuels
• sets off
• pushes
• runs
• actuates
• provokes
• ignites
• turns on
• touches off
• cranks (up)
• charges
• fires
• switches
• launches
• electrifies
• energizes
• stimulates
• releases
• turns over
• trips
• accelerates
• kicks over
• reactivates
• discharges
• stirs up
• recharges
• excites
• incites
• instigates
• arouses
• quickens
• steps up
• catalyzes
• speeds (up)
• vitalizes
• kick-starts
• jump-starts

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cuts
• kills
• stops
• turns off
• cuts out
• shuts off
• brakes
• checks
• arrests
• sticks
• stalls
• halts
• jams
• cuts off
• slows
• draws up
• deactivates
• suppresses
• represses
• decelerates
• stunts

8

as in exits

to leave a place often for another

the police officer told the loiterers to move along

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exits
• departs
• goes
• gets
• starts
• escapes
• flees
• evacuates
• parts
• quits
• flies
• walks out
• withdraws
• runs along
• bails
• pulls out
• gets off
• shoves (off)
• cuts out
• retires
• pushes off
• goes off
• digs out
• peels off
• packs (up or off)
• bails out
• beats it
• pushes on
• steps (along)
• books
• takes off
• skips
• retreats
• bugs off
• clears out
• clears off
• buzzes (off)
• emigrates
• sallies (forth)
• scarpers
• takes a hike
• buggers off
• sets out
• hits the road
• takes a powder
• bugs out
• pulls stakes
• vamooses
• strikes out
• abandons
• removes
• runs away
• pikes (out or off)
• vacates
• gets out
• absconds
• goes out
• steps out
• forsakes
• scats
• deserts
• lights out
• decamps
• mizzles
• scrams
• adjourns

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• comes
• arrives
• remains
• stays
• turns up
• shows up
• dwells
• settles
• approaches
• closes
• abides
• reaches
• lands
• hits
• nears
• lodges
• tarries

moves

2 of 2

noun

plural of move

1

as in means

an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result

retiring early was a smart move

Synonyms & Similar Words

• means
• measures
• steps
• shifts
• attempts
• efforts
• things
• resources
• actions
• acts
• tries
• goes
• activities
• procedures
• works
• initiatives
• dealings
• processes
• expedients
• feats
• proceedings
• doings
• operations
• projects
• proposals
• deeds
• passes
• successes
• coups
• events
• endeavors
• accomplishments
• triumphs
• enterprises
• cracks
• exploits
• courses
• achievements
• pains
• attainments
• exertions
• affairs
• undertakings
• countermoves
• propositions
• troubles
• stabs
• businesses
• flings
• countermeasures
• trials
• essays
• resorts
• whacks
• shots
• labors
• whiles
• countersteps
• makeshifts
• stopgaps

2

as in movements

the act or an instance of changing position

don't make a move

Synonyms & Similar Words

• movements
• shifts
• motions
• stirrings
• stirs
• relocations
• migrations
• squirms
• dislocations
• locomotions
• mobilities
• motivities
• motilities
• fiddlings

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stops
• pauses
• immobilities
• finishes
• inertias
• stoppages
• halts
• endings
• lapses
• terminations
• shutdowns
• discontinuances
• expirations
• cessations
• shutoffs
• surceases

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of moves

Verb

Israel moves fast, launching a bold military operation against a weaker Middle Eastern neighbor. —Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026

After that, the Moon moves from LEO into VIRGO. —Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026

An assembly of planets in Aries moves through your twelfth house, stirring emotions behind the scenes and asking for careful tending. —Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026

The Gatewoods have framed it as a path toward a better work- and faith-life balance that moves away from phones that ring constantly. —Bracey Harris, NBC news, 28 Mar. 2026

Roughly 20% of global oil supply normally moves through the approximately 100-mile waterway, which borders Iran. —Matt Peterson, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026

While those numbers aren’t going to win you any awards, Ngongba’s presence will be important as Duke moves into the next weekend of the tournament. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2026

This obviously affecting everything that moves around the country. —ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026

Heavy rain and lightning is possible as the line moves through. —Gregory Padgett, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026

Noun

Calm leadership lands better than fast moves. —Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 2026

An assembly of planets moves through Aries, putting identity, ambition, and personal reinvention at the center of the conversation. —Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026

The moves have coincided with a wave of artist cancellations, declining ticket sales and layoffs that began this week. —Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Mar. 2026

The narrative moves between Rose’s current life and her past with Ron. —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026

Two-year gilts – the part of the market most sensitive to interest-rate moves – were also pummelled. —The Week Uk, TheWeek, 28 Mar. 2026

Right moves produced structured, predictable ones. —Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2026

Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Morning energy invites bold, creative moves. —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026

November 22 – December 21 Morning energy invites bold, creative moves. —Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2026