Move
Move noun - An action planned or taken to achieve a desired result.
Usage example: retiring early was a smart move
Shift is a synonym for move in action topic. In some cases you can use "Shift" instead the word "Move" as a verb or a noun, when it comes to topics like change, progress, carry, go. popular alternative
Shift
Shift noun - An action planned or taken to achieve a desired result.
Usage example: desperate shifts to stave off financial disaster
Move is a synonym for shift in activity topic. You can use "Move" instead the word "Shift" as a verb or a noun, if it concerns topics such as movement, trick, scheme, switch. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
How words are described
| similar | similar move | similar shift |
| complete | complete move | complete shift |
| original | original move | original shift |
| single | single move | single shift |
| Other adjectives: simple, actual, real, big, quick, deliberate, new, political, final, unexpected, extra, unusual, next, last, different. | ||
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
- Good and evil shift and move about, with circumstances changing, and people shifting back and forth over and over in who is a hero and villain, right and wrong over and over again.
Source: Analysis / Pony POV Series -
The squad sergeants in Full Spectrum Warrior respond quickly, getting their orders over radio, but there's still a delay as they need to verbally relay those orders to their fireteams before they move or shift fire.
Source: Easy Communication -
In Splinter Cell Blacklist, when Sam is hanging on to the side of a building and left to idle, he will shift his stance around and move his arms so they don't go numb.
Source: Idle Animation
Cite this Source
Shift and Move. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/move/shift
Move & Shift. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/move/shift>.
Shift or Move. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/move/shift.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "move" and "shift" have occurred on timeline