Phrase guide

move on

verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To continue; to proceed; to go on.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

  • After spending the night resting in an abandoned church, the group decided to move on in their quest.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To start dealing with something else.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

  • The best revenge is always to just happily move on and let karma do the rest.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To attempt a seduction, often in a way seen as disloyal or rude to another.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal, transitive

Examples

  • I think Shane is going to move on my ex tonight.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To physically move something or someone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The police moved the protestors on.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To assault or attack.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Qualifier: African-American Vernacular

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Time marches on

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: advance, progress, pass on, march on, go on

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: travel, go, move, locomote

Narrower terms: forge, penetrate, creep up, sneak up, encroach, infringe, impinge, press on, push on, plough on, string, string along, pass, overtake, overhaul, close in, draw in, edge, inch, ratchet, rachet up, ratchet down, elapse, lapse, slip by, glide by, slip away, go by, slide by, go along

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: jatkaa — to leave somewhere for another place
  • Greek: προχωρώ (prochoró) — to leave somewhere for another place
  • Greek: συνεχίζω (synechízo) — to leave somewhere for another place
  • Hungarian: továbbmegy — to leave somewhere for another place
  • Hungarian: továbbhalad — to leave somewhere for another place
  • Turkish: ayrılmak, başka yere gitmek — to leave somewhere for another place
  • Finnish: siirtyä eteenpäin — to start dealing with something else
  • French: passer à autre chose — to start dealing with something else
  • Hungarian: továbblép — to start dealing with something else
  • Hungarian: lapoz — to start dealing with something else
  • Hungarian: áttér — to start dealing with something else
  • Italian: passare oltre — to start dealing with something else
  • Russian: продвигаться (prodvigatʹsja) — to start dealing with something else
  • Spanish: superarlo — to start dealing with something else
  • Spanish: seguir adelante — to start dealing with something else
  • Spanish: continuar adelante — to start dealing with something else
  • Turkish: başka konuya geçmek — to start dealing with something else