Move vs. Swing — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 1, 2023
Move refers to changing position; it can be deliberate or involuntary, involving a shift from one place, direction, or position to another. Swing typically refers to moving back and forth or side to side within a fixed point, often in a rhythmic way.
Difference Between Move and Swing
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Move and swing, while both verbs, depict distinct types of motion. Move is a general term referring to the act of changing place or position, and it may involve progression, displacement, or a shift from one point to another. It can imply a variety of activities, from simple relocation to profound action. In contrast, swing specifically implies a to-and-fro or side-to-side motion, often pivoting around a point or axis, typically indicating a rhythmic or recurring movement, such as a pendulum’s motion.
Move covers a broad range of motions, it may involve entire body action, or just a part, like moving a limb; it could also refer to emotional or procedural shifts, like moving someone to tears or moving through a process. On the other hand, swing usually involves an arcing motion, like the swinging of a door or a bat, typically within a set range, and often returns to its starting point, emphasizing the fluctuating nature of the movement.
In essence, to move is to experience or cause a change in position or state, reflecting flexibility and adaptability, and it can be applied to physical, emotional, and abstract contexts. Swing, however, is more specific, suggesting a regular and rhythmic motion and is usually associated with physical movement that has a particular range and direction, often implying a sense of freedom and ease within that movement.
The concept of moving can involve a deliberate decision or involuntary action, portraying dynamic progress or transition, such as moving a piece in a game or being moved by an external force. Conversely, swinging suggests a controlled and repetitive motion within a fixed range, expressing a degree of liberty but also restriction within its set path, like a child swinging on a swing set.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Changing position or place.
Moving back and forth or side to side rhythmically.
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Type of Motion
General, can be linear or nonlinear.
Specific, usually arcing within a fixed point.
Range
Can be any range, from minimal to substantial.
Typically within a set, restricted range.
Contextual Application
Applicable in physical, emotional, and abstract contexts.
Primarily associated with physical motion.
Direction
Can involve any direction or multidirectional shifts.
Usually involves to-and-fro or side-to-side motion.
Compare with Definitions
Move
To change position or place.
He decided to move to a new city for a fresh start.
Swing
To move back and forth or from side to side within a fixed point.
The child could swing on the playground swing set for hours.
Move
To initiate action and progress.
It’s your turn to move in the game.
Swing
To change direction or course of action.
Public opinion can swing rapidly, impacting political landscapes.
Move
To provoke a strong emotional response.
The powerful speech moved the entire audience to tears.
Swing
Move or cause to move back and forth or from side to side while suspended or on an axis
Her long black skirt swung about her legs
The door swung shut behind him
A priest began swinging a censer
Move
To change the situation or course of events.
A sudden revelation moved the investigation in a new direction.
Swing
Move by grasping a support from below and leaping
The Irishman swung himself into the saddle
We swung across like two trapeze artists
Move
To progress or advance in sequence or development.
We should move to the next point on the agenda.
Swing
Move or cause to move in a smooth, curving line
She swung her legs to the side of the bed
The cab swung into the car park
Move
To change in position from one point to another
Moved away from the window.
Swing
Shift or cause to shift from one opinion, mood, or state of affairs to another
Opinion swung in the Chancellor's favour
The failure to seek peace could swing sentiment the other way
Move
To follow a specified course
Earth moves around the sun.
Swing
Play music with a flowing but vigorous rhythm
The band swung on
Move
To change posture or position; stir
Too scared to move.
Swing
(of an event, place, or way of life) be lively, exciting, or fashionable.
Move
To start off; depart
After waiting for an hour, we decided it was time to move.
Swing
Engage in group sex or swap sexual partners within a group, especially on a habitual basis.
Move
(Games) To change position on a board in a board game.
Swing
A seat suspended by ropes or chains, on which someone may sit and swing back and forth.
Move
To go from one residence or location to another; relocate
We moved to a new apartment.
Swing
An act of swinging
With the swing of her arm, the knife flashed through the air
Move
(Linguistics) To be copied or moved by means of a movement transformation to a new position in syntactic structure.
Swing
A discernible change in opinion, especially the amount by which votes or points scored change from one side to another
A five per cent swing to Labour
Move
To progress in sequence; go forward
A novel that moves slowly.
Swing
A style of jazz or dance music with a flowing but vigorous rhythm.
Move
To progress toward a particular state or condition
Moving up in the company.
Move on to a new subject.
Swing
A swift tour involving a number of stops, especially one undertaken as part of a political campaign.
Move
To be disposed of by sale
Woolens move slowly in the summer.
Swing
(in musical theatre) an understudy, typically one who covers multiple roles in the chorus of a particular production.
Move
To be put in motion or to turn according to a prescribed motion. Used of machinery.
Swing
To move back and forth suspended or as if suspended from above.
Move
To exhibit great activity or energy
Things were really moving backstage.
Swing
To hit at something with a sweeping motion of the arm
Swung at the ball.
Move
To initiate an action; act
It's time to make a decision and move.
Swing
To move laterally or in a curve
The car swung over to the curb.
Move
To be active in a particular environment
Moves in diplomatic circles.
Swing
To turn in place on or as if on a hinge or pivot.
Move
To stir the emotions
Words that have the power to move.
Swing
To move along with an easy, swaying gait
Swinging down the road.
Move
To make a formal motion in parliamentary procedure
Move for an adjournment.
Swing
To propel oneself from one place or position to another by grasping a fixed support
Swinging through the trees.
Move
To evacuate. Used of the bowels.
Swing
To ride on a swing.
Move
To change the place or position of
Moved the chair into the corner.
Could not move his arm.
Swing
To shift from one attitude, interest, condition, or emotion to another; vacillate.
Move
To cause to go from one place to another
Moved the crowd away.
Swing
(Slang) To be put to death by hanging.
Move
(Games) To change (a piece) from one position to another in a board game
Moved a pawn.
Swing
To have a subtle, intuitively felt rhythm or sense of rhythm.
Move
To change the course of
Moved the discussion to other matters.
Swing
To play with a subtle, intuitively felt sense of rhythm.
Move
To cause to progress or advance
Moved the research into new thinking.
Swing
To be lively, trendy, and exciting.
Move
To dislodge from a fixed point of view, as by persuasion
"Speak to him, ladies, see if you can move him" (Shakespeare).
Swing
To engage in promiscuous sex.
Move
To prompt to action; rouse
Anger moved her to speak out.
Swing
To exchange sex partners. Used especially of married couples.
Move
To arouse the emotions of; affect or stir.
Swing
To have a sexual orientation
Which way does he swing?.
Move
To cause to function
This lever moves the elevator.
Swing
To cause to move back and forth, as on a swing.
Move
To cause to progress or advance
Moved the project beyond conventional thinking.
Swing
To cause to move in a broad arc or curve
Swing a bat.
Swung the car over.
Move
To propose or request in formal parliamentary procedure
Moved that a vote be taken.
Swing
To cause to move with a sweeping motion
Swinging his arms.
Move
To make formal application to (a court, for example).
Swing
To lift and convey with a sweeping motion
Swung the cargo onto the deck.
Move
To dispose of by sale
Moved the new merchandise quickly.
Swing
To suspend so as to sway or turn freely
Swung a hammock between two trees.
Move
To cause (the bowels) to evacuate.
Swing
To suspend on hinges
Swing a shutter.
Move
The act or an instance of moving.
Swing
To cause to turn on hinges
Swung the door shut.
Move
A particular manner of moving
Made some intricate moves on the dance floor.
Swing
To cause to shift from one attitude, position, opinion, or condition to another.
Move
A change of residence or location.
Swing
To manage or arrange successfully
Swing a deal.
Move
An act of transferring a piece from one position to another in board games.
Swing
To bring around to the desired result
Swing an election.
Move
The prescribed manner in which a piece may be played.
Swing
(Music) To play (music) with a subtle, intuitively felt sense of rhythm.
Move
A participant's turn to make a play.
Swing
The act or an instance of swinging; movement back and forth or in one particular direction.
Move
An action taken to achieve an objective; a maneuver
A move to halt the arms race.
Swing
The sweep or scope of something that swings
The pendulum's swing is 12 inches.
Move
(intransitive) To change place or posture; to go, in any manner, from one place or position to another.
A ship moves rapidly.
I was sitting on the sofa for a long time, feeling too lazy to move.
Swing
A blow or stroke executed with a sweeping motion of the arm.
Move
(intransitive) To act; to take action; to begin to act
To move in a matter
Come on guys, let's move: there's work to do!
Swing
The manner in which one swings something, such as a bat or golf club.
Move
(intransitive) To change residence, for example from one house, town, or state, to another; to go and live at another place. See also move out and move in.
I decided to move to the country for a more peaceful life.
They moved closer to work to cut down commuting time.
I'm moving next week but I don't have anything packed yet.
The rook moved from a8 to a6.
My opponent's counter was moving much quicker round the board than mine.
Swing
A shift from one attitude, position, or condition to another
A swing to conservatism.
Move
To cause to change place or posture in any manner; to set in motion; to carry, convey, draw, or push from one place to another
The waves moved the boat up and down.
The horse moves a carriage.
Swing
Freedom of action
The children have free swing in deciding what color to paint their room.
Move
To transfer (a piece) from one space or position on the board to another.
She moved the queen closer to the centre of the board.
He rolled a 5 and moved his counter to Boardwalk, the most expensive property on the Monopoly board.
Swing
A swaying, graceful motion
Has a swing to her walk.
Move
(transitive) To excite to action by the presentation of motives; to rouse by representation, persuasion, or appeal; to influence.
This song moves me to dance.
Swing
A sweep back and forth
The swing of a bird across the sky.
Move
(transitive) To arouse the feelings or passions of; especially, to excite to tenderness or compassion, to excite (for example, an emotion).
That book really moved me.
Swing
A course or tour that returns to the starting point
A swing across the state while campaigning.
Move
To propose; to recommend; specifically, to propose formally for consideration and determination, in a deliberative assembly; to submit
I move to repeal the rule regarding obligatory school uniform.
Swing
A seat suspended from above, as by ropes, on which one can ride back and forth for recreation.
Move
To mention; to raise (a question); to suggest (a course of action); to lodge (a complaint).
Swing
The normal rhythm of life or pace of activities
Back in the swing.
Move
To incite, urge (someone to do something); to solicit (someone for or of an issue); to make a proposal to.
Swing
A steady, vigorous rhythm or movement, as in verse.
Move
To apply to, as for aid.
Swing
A regular movement up or down, as in stock prices.
Move
To request an action from the court.
An attorney moved the court to issue a restraining order.
The district attorney moved for a non-suit.
Swing
A type of popular dance music developed about 1935 and based on jazz but employing a larger band, less improvisation, and simpler harmonic and rhythmic patterns.
Move
To bow or salute upon meeting.
Swing
A ballroom dance performed to this music.
Move
To sell or market (especially physical inventory or illicit drugs).
This business will fail if it can't move the inventory quickly.
Swing
A subtle, intuitively felt rhythmic quality or sense of rhythm.
Move
The act of moving; a movement.
A slight move of the tiller, and the boat will go off course.
Swing
(Music) Relating to or performing swing
A swing band.
Move
An act for the attainment of an object; a step in the execution of a plan or purpose.
He made another move towards becoming a naturalized citizen.
Swing
Determining an outcome; decisive
The swing vote.
Move
A formalized or practiced action used in athletics, dance, physical exercise, self-defense, hand-to-hand combat, etc.
She always gets spontaneous applause for that one move.
He can win a match with that one move.
Swing
(intransitive) To rotate about an off-centre fixed point.
The plant swung in the breeze.
Move
The event of changing one's residence.
The move into my fiancé's house took two long days.
They were pleased about their move to the country.
Swing
(intransitive) To dance.
Move
A change in strategy.
I am worried about our boss's move.
It was a smart move to bring on a tall striker to play against the smaller defenders.
Swing
(intransitive) To ride on a swing.
The children laughed as they swung.
Move
A transfer, a change from one employer to another.
Swing
(intransitive) To participate in the swinging lifestyle; to participate in wife-swapping.
Move
(board games) The act of moving a token on a gameboard from one position to another according to the rules of the game.
The best move of the game was when he sacrificed his rook in order to gain better possession.
It's your move! Roll the dice!
If you roll a six, you can make two moves.
Swing
(intransitive) To hang from the gallows; to be punished by hanging, swing for something or someone; (often hyperbolic) to be severely punished.
Move
A round, in which each player has a turn.
You can win in three moves if you do that.
Swing
To move sideways in its trajectory.
Move
To cause to change place or posture in any manner; to set in motion; to carry, convey, draw, or push from one place to another; to impel; to stir; as, the wind moves a vessel; the horse moves a carriage.
Swing
To make the ball move sideways in its trajectory.
Move
To transfer (a piece or man) from one space or position to another on a playing board, according to the rules of the game; as, to move a king.
Swing
(intransitive) To fluctuate or change.
It wasn't long before the crowd's mood swung towards restless irritability.
Move
To excite to action by the presentation of motives; to rouse by representation, persuasion, or appeal; to influence.
Minds desirous of revenge were not moved with gold.
No female arts his mind could move.
Swing
(transitive) To move (an object) backward and forward; to wave.
He swung his sword as hard as he could.
Move
To arouse the feelings or passions of; especially, to excite to tenderness or compassion; to touch pathetically; to excite, as an emotion.
When he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them.
[The use of images] in orations and poetry is to move pity or terror.
Swing
(transitive) To change (a numerical result); especially to change the outcome of an election.
Move
To propose; to recommend; specifically, to propose formally for consideration and determination, in a deliberative assembly; to submit, as a resolution to be adopted; as, to move to adjourn.
Let me but move one question to your daughter.
They are to be blamed alike who move and who decline war upon particular respects.
Swing
(transitive) To make (something) work; especially to afford (something) financially.
If it’s not too expensive, I think we can swing it.
Move
To apply to, as for aid.
Swing
To play notes that are in pairs by making the first of the pair slightly longer than written (augmentation) and the second shorter, resulting in a bouncy, uneven rhythm.
Move
To change place or posture; to stir; to go, in any manner, from one place or position to another; as, a ship moves rapidly.
The foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
On the green bank I sat and listened long, . . . Nor till her lay was ended could I move.
Swing
To move one's arm in a punching motion.
Move
To act; to take action; to stir; to begin to act; as, to move in a matter.
Swing
(transitive) In dancing, to turn around in a small circle with one's partner, holding hands or arms.
"to swing one's partner", or simply "to swing"
Move
To change residence; to remove, as from one house, town, or state, to another.
Swing
To admit or turn something for the purpose of shaping it; said of a lathe.
The lathe can swing a pulley of 12 inches diameter.
Move
To change the place of a piece in accordance with the rules of the game.
Swing
To put (a door, gate, etc.) on hinges so that it can swing or turn.
Move
The act of moving; a movement.
Swing
(nautical) To turn round by action of wind or tide when at anchor.
A ship swings with the tide.
Move
The act of moving one of the pieces, from one position to another, in the progress of the game; also, the opportunity or obligation to so move a piece; one's turn; as, you can only borrow from the bank in Monopoly when it's your move.
Swing
The manner in which something is swung.
He worked tirelessly to improve his golf swing.
Door swing indicates direction the door opens.
The swing of a pendulum
Move
An act for the attainment of an object; a step in the execution of a plan or purpose.
Swing
The sweep or compass of a swinging body.
Move
The act of deciding to do something;
He didn't make a move to help
His first move was to hire a lawyer
Swing
A line, cord, or other thing suspended and hanging loose, upon which anything may swing.
Move
The act of changing your residence or place of business;
They say that three moves equal one fire
Swing
A hanging seat in a children's playground, for acrobats in a circus, or on a porch for relaxing.
Move
A change of position that does not entail a change of location;
The reflex motion of his eyebrows revealed his surprise
Movement is a sign of life
An impatient move of his hand
Gastrointestinal motility
Swing
A dance style.
Move
The act of changing location from one place to another;
Police controlled the motion of the crowd
The movement of people from the farms to the cities
His move put him directly in my path
Swing
(music) The genre of music associated with this dance style.
Move
(game) a player's turn to move a piece or take some other permitted action
Swing
The amount of change towards or away from something.
Move
Change location; move, travel, or proceed;
How fast does your new car go?
We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus
The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect
The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell
Swing
(politics) In an election, the increase or decrease in the number of votes for opposition parties compared with votes for the incumbent party.
The polls showed a wide swing to Labour.
Move
Cause to move, both in a concrete and in an abstract sense;
Move those boxes into the corner, please
I'm moving my money to another bank
The director moved more responsibilities onto his new assistant
Swing
(cricket) Sideways movement of the ball as it flies through the air.
Move
Move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion;
He moved his hand slightly to the right
Swing
Capacity of a turning lathe, as determined by the diameter of the largest object that can be turned in it.
Move
Change residence, affiliation, or place of employment;
We moved from Idaho to Nebraska
The basketball player moved from one team to another
Swing
In a musical theater production, a performer who understudies several roles.
Move
Follow a procedure or take a course;
We should go farther in this matter
She went through a lot of trouble
Go about the world in a certain manner
Messages must go through diplomatic channels
Swing
A basic dance step in which a pair link hands and turn round together in a circle.
Move
Be in a state of action;
She is always moving
Swing
(obsolete) Free course; unrestrained liberty.
Move
Go or proceed from one point to another;
The debate moved from family values to the economy
Swing
Influence or power of anything put in motion.
Move
Perform an action, or work out or perform (an action);
Think before you act
We must move quickly
The governor should act on the new energy bill
The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel
Swing
(boxing) A type of hook with the arm more extended.
Move
Have an emotional or cognitive impact upon;
This child impressed me as unusually mature
This behavior struck me as odd
Swing
To move to and fro, as a body suspended in the air; to wave; to vibrate; to oscillate.
I tried if a pendulum would swing faster, or continue swinging longer, in case of exsuction of the air.
Move
Give an incentive for action;
This moved me to sacrifice my career
Swing
To sway or move from one side or direction to another; as, the door swung open.
Move
Arouse sympathy or compassion in;
Her fate moved us all
Swing
To turn round by action of wind or tide when at anchor; as, a ship swings with the tide.
Move
Dispose of by selling;
The chairman of the company told the salesmen to move the computers
Swing
To be hanged.
He had swung round the circle of theories and systems in which his age abounded, without finding relief.
Move
Progress by being changed;
The speech has to go through several more drafts
Run through your presentation before the meeting
Swing
To cause to swing or vibrate; to cause to move backward and forward, or from one side to the other.
He swings his tail, and swiftly turns his round.
They get on ropes, as you must have seen the children, and are swung by their men visitants.
Move
Live one's life in a specified environment;
She moves in certain circles only
Swing
To give a circular movement to; to whirl; to brandish; as, to swing a sword; to swing a club; hence, colloquially, to manage; as, to swing a business.
Move
Have a turn; make one's move in a game;
Can I go now?
Swing
To admit or turn (anything) for the purpose of shaping it; - said of a lathe; as, the lathe can swing a pulley of 12 inches diameter.
Move
Propose formally; in a debate or parliamentary meeting
Swing
The act of swinging; a waving, oscillating, or vibratory motion of a hanging or pivoted object; oscillation; as, the swing of a pendulum.
Swing
Swaying motion from one side or direction to the other; as, some men walk with a swing.
Swing
A line, cord, or other thing suspended and hanging loose, upon which anything may swing; especially, an apparatus for recreation by swinging, commonly consisting of a rope, the two ends of which are attached overhead, as to the bough of a tree, a seat being placed in the loop at the bottom; also, any contrivance by which a similar motion is produced for amusement or exercise.
Swing
Influence of power of a body put in swaying motion.
The ram that batters down the wall,For the great swing and rudeness of his poise,They place before his hand that made the engine.
Swing
Capacity of a turning lathe, as determined by the diameter of the largest object that can be turned in it.
Swing
Free course; unrestrained liberty or license; tendency.
To prevent anything which may prove an obstacle to the full swing of his genius.
Swing
A state of steady vigorous action that is characteristic of an activity;
The party went with a swing
It took time to get into the swing of things
Swing
Mechanical device used as a plaything to support someone swinging back and forth
Swing
A sweeping blow or stroke;
He took a wild swing at my head
Swing
Changing location by moving back and forth
Swing
A style of jazz played by big bands popular in the 1930s; flowing rhythms but less complex than later styles of jazz
Swing
A jaunty rhythm in music
Swing
The act of swinging a golf club at a golf ball and (usually) hitting it
Swing
In baseball; a batter's attempt to hit a pitched ball;
He took a vicious cut at the ball
Swing
A square dance figure; a pair of dancers join hands and dance around a point between them
Swing
Move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting;
He swung his left fist
Swing a bat
Swing
Move or walk in a swinging or swaying manner;
He swung back
Swing
Change direction with a swinging motion; turn;
Swing back
Swing forward
Swing
Influence decisively;
This action swung many votes over to his side
Swing
Make a big sweeping gesture or movement
Swing
Hang freely;
The ornaments dangled from the tree
The light dropped from the ceiling
Swing
Hit or aim at with a sweeping arm movement;
The soccer player began to swing at the referee
Swing
Alternate dramatically between high and low values;
His mood swings
The market is swinging up and down
Swing
Live in a lively, modern, and relaxed style;
The Woodstock generation attempted to swing freely
Swing
Have a certain musical rhythm;
The music has to swing
Swing
Be a social swinger; socialize a lot
Swing
Play with a subtle and intuitively felt sense of rhythm
Swing
Engage freely in promiscuous sex, often with the husband or wife of one's friends;
There were many swinging couples in the 1960's
Swing
To cause to move in a smooth and flowing manner.
He can swing the golf club with great precision.
Swing
To handle or manage freely and easily.
She can swing a conversation and make everyone feel included.
Swing
To exhibit a free and easy lifestyle or manner.
He is known to swing through life with an effortless charm.
Common Curiosities
What does swing mean in terms of motion?
Swing refers to a rhythmic motion, typically back and forth or side to side within a fixed point or axis.
Can move refer to emotional change?
Yes, move can refer to causing a significant emotional response or change in someone.
Is to move always voluntary?
No, moving can be either voluntary, as in deciding to move places, or involuntary, as in being moved by external forces.
Is swinging restricted to physical context?
While primarily associated with physical motion, swing can metaphorically refer to changes in direction or mood, as in "swing of opinion".
Can move be used in various contextual applications?
Yes, the term move has diverse applications, including physical relocation, emotional responses, and procedural advancements.
Does swing always return to its starting point?
Typically, swing involves a motion that returns to its starting point, emphasizing its to-and-fro or side-to-side nature.
Is swing’s range of motion typically restricted?
Yes, swing typically involves a motion within a set, restricted range around a fixed point or axis.
What does move mean?
Move means to change position, place, or state, whether physically, emotionally, or procedurally.
Can moving imply progress or development?
Yes, moving can imply dynamic progress, development, or transition in various contexts.
Can the term move apply to abstract concepts like pieces in a game?
Yes, move can apply to abstract concepts, representing progress or action, as in moving a piece in a game or moving through a process.
How does being humble contribute to the ability to move?
Being humble can foster adaptability and open-mindedness, contributing to the ability to move or change one’s perspectives and actions.
Can the term swing be used to describe lifestyle?
Yes, swing can metaphorically describe a free and easy lifestyle or manner, as in "swinging through life".
Can swing imply a sense of freedom in movement?
Yes, swing often implies a sense of freedom and ease within the rhythmic movement, despite its restricted range.
Can swing refer to a change in opinion or mood?
Yes, swing can metaphorically refer to a change in opinion, mood, or preference, depicting fluctuations or shifts.
Can the concept of move imply action and initiation?
Yes, the concept of move inherently implies action, initiation, and the commencement of progression or change.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
