Definition

1. Verb:
   • To disturb or agitate physically; to move or shake forcefully: "commove" means to change the arrangement or position of something, often with a sense of disturbance or upheaval.
   • To excite or rouse emotionally; to stir up strong feelings: "commove" also means to cause someone to be agitated, excited, or emotionally aroused.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Physical Disturbance):

  • The earthquake commoved the very foundations of the ancient city.
  • He commoved the papers on his desk in a frantic search for the missing key.

• Verb (Emotional Agitation):

  • The leader's passionate speech commoved the entire assembly, filling them with a desire for change.
  • News of the tragedy commoved the community to action.

Advanced Usage Notes

• Formality: "Commove" is a formal, literary, and somewhat archaic verb. It is rarely used in everyday modern English.
• Connotation: The word often carries a strong connotation of profound disturbance or deep emotional stirring, rather than a minor agitation.

Variants and Related Words

• Commotion (n): A state of confused and noisy disturbance.
  • The announcement caused quite a commotion in the hall.
• Commove is a less common synonym for verbs like "agitate," "disturb," or "rouse."

Synonyms

• Agitate: To make someone troubled or nervous.
• Disturb: To interrupt the quiet, rest, or peace of.
• Rouse: To bring out of a state of sleep, unconsciousness, or inactivity.
• Excite: To cause strong feelings of enthusiasm and eagerness.

Antonyms

• Calm: To make someone or something quiet and peaceful.
• Soothe: To gently calm or relieve.
• Pacify: To quell the anger, agitation, or excitement of.
• Settle: To resolve or reach a state of stability.

Related Idioms or Phrases

• To stir up: This common phrasal verb is a modern equivalent for the emotional sense of "commove."
  • The documentary stirred up strong emotions about the issue.
• To shake up: Can be used for both physical rearrangement and causing emotional excitement or change.
  • The new manager plans to shake up the department.

Verb

1. change the arrangement or position of
2. cause to be agitated, excited, or roused
   • The speaker charged up the crowd with his inflammatory remarks