move
[verb]
Synonyms:
- go, advance, budge, proceed, progress, shift, stir
- change, shift, switch, transfer, transpose
- leave, migrate, pack one's bags (informal), quit, relocate, remove
- drive, activate, operate, propel, shift, start, turn
- touch, affect, excite, impress
- incite, cause, induce, influence, inspire, motivate, persuade, prompt, rouse
- propose, advocate, put forward, recommend, suggest, urge
[noun]
Synonyms:
- action, manoeuvre, measure, ploy, step, stratagem, stroke, turn
- transfer, relocation, removal, shift

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Contrasted words: bring up, draw up, fetch up, halt, haul up, pull up, stop
Related Words: displace, replace, supersede, supplant, bear, carry, convey, transmit, transport, activate, motivate, induce, persuade, prevail, alteration, change, modification, variation

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English Thesaurus: action, act, act of violence/kindness/defiance etc, activities, behaviour, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. move¹ S1 W1 /muːv/ verb
[Word Family: noun: move, movement, removal, remover, mover; adjective: movable, unmoved, moving; verb: move, remove; adverb: movingly]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: mouvoir, from Latin movere]

1. CHANGE PLACE [intransitive and transitive] to change from one place or position to another, or to make something do this:
Please keep the doors closed while the train is moving.
‘Come on,’ Sue said. No one moved.
Could you move your car, please? It’s blocking the road.
move quickly/slowly/steadily etc
The plane moved slowly along the runway, then stopped.
move away/out/to/towards etc
He moved closer to her.
Becca moved down the steps and into the yard.
move about/around
I could hear someone moving around upstairs.
The bar was so crowded you could hardly move.
At Christmas, you couldn’t move for toys in this house (=there were a lot of toys).
Paul couldn’t move a muscle (=could not move at all) he was so scared.

2. NEW HOUSE/OFFICE [intransitive and transitive] if a person or company moves, or if you move them, they go to live or work in a different place:
We’ve moved seven or eight times in the last five years.
move to/into/from
When are you moving to Memphis?
They’ve moved into bigger offices in London.
move somebody to/into/from etc something
He had to move his mother into a nursing home.
The company is moving its sales center downtown.
move house/home British English (=go to live in a different house)
My parents kept moving house because of my dad’s job.

3. CHANGE OPINION ETC
a) [intransitive] to change from one opinion or way of thinking to another Synonym : shift:
Neither side is willing to move on the issue of territory.
move towards/away from
The two political parties have moved closer towards each other in recent months.
At this stage, children move further away from the influence of their parents, and depend more on their friends.
b) [transitive] to persuade someone to change their opinion:
She won’t be moved – it doesn’t matter what you say to her.

4. PROGRESS [intransitive] to make progress in a particular way or at a particular rate:
Things moved quickly once the contract was signed.
The negotiations seem to be moving in the right direction.
get/keep things moving
The plan should boost employment and get things moving in the economy.

5. TAKE ACTION [intransitive] to start taking action, especially in order to achieve something or deal with a problem
move on/against
The governor has yet to move on any of the recommendations in the report.
move fast/quickly/swiftly
You’ll have to move fast if you want to get a place on the course.

6. CHANGE JOB/CLASS ETC [intransitive and transitive] to change to a different job, class etc, or to make someone change to a different job, class etc Synonym : transfer
move somebody to/into/from something
Several students were moved from the beginners’ class into the intermediate one.
He spent five years at KLP, before moving to IMed as a manager.

7. EMOTION [transitive] to make someone feel strong emotions, especially of sadness or sympathy
be deeply/genuinely/profoundly moved
Russell was deeply moved by what he heard.
His speech moved the audience to tears. ⇒ moving(1)

8. CAUSE SOMEBODY TO DO SOMETHING [transitive] to cause someone to do something
move somebody to do something
Seeing her there had moved him to think about the time they had together.
be/feel moved to do something
I have never before felt moved to write, but I feel I must protest.

9. TIME/ORDER [transitive] to change the time or order of something
move something to/from something
Could we move the meeting to Thursday?

10. CHANGE SUBJECT [intransitive] to start talking or writing about a different subject
move away from/off/to etc
We seem to be moving away from the main point of the discussion. ⇒ move on(4)

11. get moving (also move it) spoken used to tell someone to hurry:
Come on, get moving or you’ll be late for school.

12. it’s time I was moving/we ought to get moving etc spoken used to say that you need to leave or go somewhere:
I think it’s time we were moving.
I ought to get moving – I have to be up early tomorrow.

13. GAMES [intransitive and transitive] to change the position of one of the objects used to play a game such as chess

14. AT A MEETING [intransitive and transitive] formal to officially make a proposal at a meeting
move that
The chairman moves that the meeting be adjourned.
move to do something
I move to approve the minutes as read.
move an amendment British English (=suggest a change)
They want to move an amendment to the bill.

15. GO FAST [intransitive] informal to travel very fast:
This car can really move!

16. BE BOUGHT [intransitive] if things of a particular kind are moving, they are being bought, especially at a particular rate:
The highest-priced homes are still moving slowly.

17. move with the times to change the way you think and behave, as society changes:
If the resorts want to keep attracting tourists, they need to move with the times.

18. move in ... circles/society/world to spend a lot of time with a particular type of people and know them well:
She spent time in England, where she moved in high society.
⇒ move the goalposts at goalpost(2), ⇒ move in for the kill at kill²(2), ⇒ move heaven and earth at heaven(9), ⇒ when the spirit moves you at spirit¹(15)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. move² S2 W1 noun [countable]
[Word Family: noun: move, movement, removal, remover, mover; adjective: movable, unmoved, moving; verb: move, remove; adverb: movingly]

1. DECISION/ACTION something that you decide to do in order to achieve something:
She’s still thinking about her next move.
move to do something
the Board’s recent moves to cut interest rates
Most of the council members are reluctant to make such a drastic move.
The authorities have made no move to resolve the conflict.
a good/wise/smart etc move
She decided to learn as much about it as she could, which seemed like a wise move.
Taking the position was a good career move (=a decision that will improve the type of jobs you can do).
there are moves afoot (to do something) British English (=there are plans, especially secret ones)
It seems there could be moves afoot to close the centre.

2. MOVEMENT [usually singular] when someone moves for a short time in a particular direction:
Good gymnasts rehearse their moves mentally before a competition.
He made no move to come any nearer.
Martin made a move towards the door.
watch/follow sb’s every move
His green eyes followed Cissy’s every move.
One false move (=move in the wrong direction) and I’ll shoot.

3. PROGRESS/CHANGE a change, especially one which improves a situation
move towards/from/against/to
the country’s move towards democracy
a move away from traditional industries such as coal mining
Much more research is being done, which is a move in the right direction.

4. be on the move
a) to be travelling from one place to another:
The rebel army is on the move.
b) to be busy and active:
Roy is constantly on the move.
c) to be changing and developing a lot, especially in a way that improves things:
Museums are on the move, adding exhibits that entertain and educate.

5. get a move on spoken used to tell someone to hurry

6. make the first move to do something first, especially in order to end a quarrel or start a relationship:
Men say they like it when women make the first move.

7. GAMES when you change the position of one of the objects in a game such as chess:
Several moves later, Ron took his king.
It’s your move, Janet (=it is your turn to move an object).

8. make a move British English informal to leave a place:
It’s getting late – we ought to make a move.

9. GOING TO A NEW PLACE [usually singular] when you leave one house, office etc, and go to live or work in a different one:
The move to a larger office building is long overdue.

10. put/make a move on somebody informal to try to start sexual activity or a sexual relationship with someone

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

move
noun
I. action to achieve sth; change in ideas/behaviour
ADJ. big, important, major, radical, significant, substantial | decisive | astute, brilliant, clever, good, inspired, sensible, shrewd, smart, wise | bad | right She wondered whether she had made the right move in telling the truth.
false, wrong One false move could lead to war.
positive | bold, brave, strong | defensive | serious | dramatic, shock (used in journalism), surprise, unexpected The company was put up for sale yesterday in a shock move by management.
obvious | interesting | unusual | controversial | conciliatory | popular | gradual | rapid | new | current, present the current move towards networked organizations
latest, recent | first, initial If he wants to see me, he should make the first move.
far-sighted | strategic, tactical | precautionary | logical | diplomatic, legal, military, political | career Getting a job in advertising was a good career move.
VERB + MOVE be, represent The talks represented the first significant move towards peace.
make The management has made no move to settle the strike.
prompt | initiate | signal The new legislation signalled a move away from state involvement in telecommunications.
spearhead The move is spearheaded by a former MP.
back, encourage, support | welcome | condemn | oppose, reject, resist | consider, contemplate | decide (on) They are waiting for the results of the opinion polls before deciding their next move.
announce The government announced its move to ban smoking in public spaces.
MOVE + VERB take place | be afoot, be underway Moves are afoot to increase car insurance premiums.
fail | be aimed at sth, be designed to do sth a move designed to control inflation
reflect sth The move reflects a change in approach to research.
PREP. in a/the ~ In a move which surprised commentators, the president sacked several cabinet ministers.
~ against a move against drug dealers
~ away from a move away from traditional Labour policies
~ back to a move back to old teaching styles
~ to/towards a move towards greater trade liberalization
PHRASES a move in the right direction Although the new environmental regulations are flawed, they represent a move in the right direction (= they do improve the current situation).

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

move
II. change of place
ADJ. false One false move and I'll shoot!
sudden
VERB + MOVE make We should make a move (= leave) ? it's really late.
PREP. ~ to/towards She made a move towards the door.
PHRASES be/keep (sb/sth) on the move His career as a petroleum engineer has kept him on the move (= kept him moving about from place to place).
every/no/one move She made no move as the lion sniffed at the tent.
follow/watch sb/sth's every move The cubs followed their mother on the hunt, watching her every move.
get a move on We're leaving in five minutes so you'd better get a move on (= hurry)!
make a move for sth (informal) He made a move for (= towards) the door.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

move
III. change of house/job
ADJ. permanent | sideways His new job was a sideways move rather than a promotion.
house
MOVE + VERB take place
PREP. ~ from, ~ to a move from London to Leeds

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

move
IV. in a board game
ADJ. brilliant, good | bad | opening | chess
VERB + MOVE learn She learned all the chess moves when she was four.
play
PREP. on a/the ~ She captured the rook with her bishop on the 32nd move.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

move
verb
BAD: When they saw that I couldn't move myself, they called an ambulance.
GOOD: When they saw that I couldn't move, they called an ambulance.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

action noun [countable] something that someone does:
He is responsible for his own actions.
They refused to give a reason for their actions.
act noun [countable] a particular type of action:
violent acts
⇒ act of violence/kindness/defiance etc:
I believe the killing was an act of desperation.
activities noun [plural] things that people do, especially for enjoyment or to achieve an aim:
leisure activities
political activities
Surveys may not give a true picture of people’s activities.
behaviour British English, behavior American English noun [uncountable] the things that someone does and the way they behave:
Do you think that advertisements really influence people’s behaviour?
The man’s behaviour seemed rather odd.
move noun [countable] something that you do in order to achieve something:
Her decision to sell the shares had been a smart move.
It’s a bold move to start a business in the current economic climate.
He needed time to figure out his next move.
step noun [countable] one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeed:
The first step is to make sure we have got funding for the project.
We must take steps to make sure that this does not happen again.
This is an important step towards peace.
measure noun [countable] an official action that is intended to deal with a particular problem:
There are increased security measures at airports.
The school was closed as a precautionary measure following a chemical leak.
gesture noun [countable] something that you do to show how you feel about someone or something:
Do you think it would be a nice gesture to send her some flowers?
⇒ gesture of goodwill/solidarity/defiance:
The company gave us £100 as a gesture of goodwill.
deed noun [countable] especially literary an action, especially one that is very good or very bad:
evil deeds
heroic deeds
This is my good deed for the day.
exploits noun [plural] formal exciting or brave actions:
daring exploits
His exploits were legendary.
feat noun [countable] something someone does that people admire because you need a lot of skill, courage, or strength to do it:
Completing a marathon is a remarkable feat for a six-year-old.
The bridge is a great feat of engineering.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

move to go to a different place, or change the position of your body:
Sarah moved away from the window.
Every time I move I get a pain in my left shoulder.
sway to move slowly from one side to the other:
The branches swayed in the wind.
Donny swayed drunkenly as he walked back to his car.
rock to move repeatedly from one side to another, with small gentle movements:
He rocked backward and forward in his chair.
The boat rocked from side to side with the waves.
wobble to move unsteadily from side to side:
The bike wobbled a bit, but she soon got it under control.
fidget to keep moving or playing with your fingers, hands, feet etc, because you are bored or nervous:
Diana fidgeted nervously with her pencil.
squirm to make very small movements from side to side with your body, especially because you feel uncomfortable:
By the end of the hour, most of the children were squirming in their seats.
wriggle to make small movements from side to side, especially in order to get into or out of something:
The dog wriggled under the fence and escaped into the street.
She managed to wriggle into the dress, but it was much too tight.
twitch if part of your body twitches, it makes small movements that you cannot control:
A muscle on Yang’s face twitched.
stir written to make a movement – used especially when describing a situation in which no one moves, or someone wakes up:
In the village a dog barked but no one stirred
The sleeping child stirred and opened her eyes.
budge to move – used when you are trying hard to make something move, often without success:
The piano wouldn’t budge.
relocate to move to a different place – used about companies, organizations, and people who work for them:
NATO’s main headquarters relocated to Brussels.
Klein is relocating to London to head up the investment banking team.
still not moving – use this especially about people who are not moving, or about places where there is no wind:
There was no wind and the trees were completely still.
Keep still while I tie your shoes.
stationary not moving – use this about cars, trains, or objects:
The truck swerved and hit a stationary vehicle.
immobile not moving or not able to move, especially because of fear or tiredness:
As the disease progressed, she became increasingly immobile.
motionless completely still – used especially in literature:
Kemp sat motionless as the verdict was read.
calm not moving because there is no wind – use this about air and water:
The lake was calm.
be at a standstill if traffic is at a standstill it is not moving:
Traffic was at a standstill on the motorway.
make a move
We made the move mainly for financial reasons.
make no move
The government made no move to hold the promised elections.
welcome the move
Environmentalists welcomed the move to limit the length of fishing nets.
oppose a move
Union members have opposed the move.
support a move
The move was supported by the government.
a move is aimed at doing something/is designed to do something
The move is aimed at strengthening its business in the region.
an important move
I cannot decide on such an important move on my own.
a bold/daring move (=taking a lot of courage)
The writers made a bold move by kiling off the main character.
a good/smart/wise move (=sensible)
I’m not sure it was a good move giving him the job.
the right move
He hoped he had made the right move in telling his father.
an unprecedented move (=never having happened before)
Barcelona began the unprecedented move of shipping in drinking water.
sb’s next move (=the next thing someone does)
What should happen next? What’s our next move?
a bad move
It was a bad move letting him come here in the first place.
a false/wrong move (=made by mistake)
One wrong move and the business might never recover.
the first move
She waited for Michael to make the first move.
a career move (=a decision that will improve the type of job you can do)
It looked like a good career move, with the possibility of promotion later.
there are moves afoot to do something British English (=there are plans, especially secret ones, to do something)
There are moves afoot to change things.
a move in the right direction
The decision seemed to be a move in the right direction.
watch/follow sb’s every move
His eyes followed Cissy’s every move.
a sudden move
She made a sudden move towards me from the doorway.
action noun [countable] something that someone does:
He is responsible for his own actions.
They refused to give a reason for their actions.
act noun [countable] a particular type of action:
violent acts
⇒ act of violence/kindness/defiance etc:
I believe the killing was an act of desperation.
activities noun [plural] things that people do, especially for enjoyment or to achieve an aim:
leisure activities
political activities
Surveys may not give a true picture of people’s activities.
behaviour British English, behavior American English noun [uncountable] the things that someone does and the way they behave:
Do you think that advertisements really influence people’s behaviour?
The man’s behaviour seemed rather odd.
step noun [countable] one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeed:
The first step is to make sure we have got funding for the project.
We must take steps to make sure that this does not happen again.
This is an important step towards peace.
measure noun [countable] an official action that is intended to deal with a particular problem:
There are increased security measures at airports.
The school was closed as a precautionary measure following a chemical leak.
gesture noun [countable] something that you do to show how you feel about someone or something:
Do you think it would be a nice gesture to send her some flowers?
⇒ gesture of goodwill/solidarity/defiance:
The company gave us £100 as a gesture of goodwill.
deed noun [countable] especially literary an action, especially one that is very good or very bad:
evil deeds
heroic deeds
This is my good deed for the day.
exploits noun [plural] formal exciting or brave actions:
daring exploits
His exploits were legendary.
feat noun [countable] something someone does that people admire because you need a lot of skill, courage, or strength to do it:
Completing a marathon is a remarkable feat for a six-year-old.
The bridge is a great feat of engineering.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

move to move to a different house, office etc:
They’ve moved back to Santiago.
My brother’s helping us move house.
relocate to move to a different place – used about companies, organizations, and people who work for them:
NATO’s main headquarters relocated to Brussels.
Klein is relocating to London to head up the investment banking team.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

move
mu:v
See: get a move on , on the move

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲