Differences between move away from and stay away from

Move away from means to physically distance oneself from something or someone, while stay away from means to avoid or not go near something or someone.

Meanings and Definitions: move away from vs stay away from

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Move away from

1Stop doing or using something to change to something different.
They're MOVING AWAY FROM Windows and are using Linux.

Stay away from

1Avoid, not come.
He told them to STAY AWAY FROM him.

Usage Examples: move away from, stay away from in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

move away from

Example

Many people are moving away from plastic bags and using reusable ones.

Example

She moves away from unhealthy food and starts eating more vegetables.

stay away from

Example

I always stay away from the edge of the cliff.

Example

She stays away from people who gossip.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Move away from

relocate

To move to a new place or residence.

Example

After getting a job offer in another state, she decided to relocate and start a new life there.

withdraw from

To remove oneself from a situation or group.

Example

After the argument, he decided to withdraw from the conversation and take a break.

retreat from

To move back or away from a situation or conflict.

Example

The army decided to retreat from the battlefield to avoid further casualties.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Stay away from

avoid

To keep away from or not engage with something or someone.

Example

She decided to avoid junk food and eat healthier meals instead.

steer clear of

To avoid or stay away from something or someone that is potentially harmful or dangerous.

Example

He always steers clear of the bad neighborhood to avoid any trouble.

keep at arm's length

To maintain a safe distance or avoid getting too close to something or someone.

Example

She decided to keep her ex-boyfriend at arm's length after their breakup to avoid any drama.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “move”

Phrasal Verbs with “stay”

Phrasal Verbs with “away from”

Differences in move away from vs stay away from: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: move away from or stay away from?

Both phrases are commonly used in everyday conversation, but stay away from is more frequently used as it is a warning or advice to avoid something harmful or dangerous. Move away from is used more in situations where physical distance is necessary or desired.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of move away from and stay away from

Both move away from and stay away from are informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. However, in more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of move away from and stay away from

The tone of move away from and stay away from can differ based on context. Move away from can carry a neutral or even positive tone, especially when referring to moving to a new place or leaving a negative situation. On the other hand, stay away from often carries a warning or negative tone, especially when referring to avoiding something harmful or dangerous.

move away from & stay away from: Synonyms and Antonyms

Move away from

Synonyms

abandon
shift from
transition from
change from
leave behind
depart from
turn away from

Antonyms

maintain
continue
persist
adopt
stick to
hold on to
embrace

Stay away from

Synonyms

avoid
shun
evade
dodge
sidestep
elude
keep away from
steer clear of

Antonyms

approach
confront
face
come near
get close to
embrace
engage with