smuovere

to shift

verb zmwoh-VEH-reh Rare

Origin: From s- (intensive/reversive prefix) + muovere (to move), Latin movere.

Also means

to move; to budge

Usage Note

Smuovere implies dislodging something heavy or stubborn: smuovere un masso (to shift a boulder). Figuratively it means to stir someone emotionally or to persuade a reluctant person: non riesco a smuoverlo (I can't get him to budge). It is irregular, following the pattern of muovere: smuovo, smuovi, smuove…

Examples

"Non riuscivamo a smuovere il masso."

Natural Translation

We couldn't shift the boulder.

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