motion 1 of 2

Definition of motionnext

motion

2 of 2

verb

as in to wave
to direct or notify by a movement or gesture the referee motioned the team captains to confer with him on the sideline

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of motion
Noun
The whole album is constantly in motion, and not only because three different song titles reference modes of transportation. Brendan Hay, SPIN, 27 Apr. 2026 Even though the pushing and throwing motions forced the robots into excursions near the boundaries of their physical workspaces, and the pick-and-place maneuver demanded complex internal mathematical checks, all three machines were able to learn a functional policy via a single human demonstration. Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
The federal government intensified efforts to expand family detention indefinitely by motioning to terminate a cornerstone policy ensuring the protection of immigrant children in federal custody. ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026 Shawn Iles, 3rd, was also poised to reject the proposal before Burns’ motioned to table the discussion. Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for motion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motion
Noun
  • The movement from Odegaard and Zubimendi towards the ball occupies Willock and Guimaraes, while White attacks the space vacated by the Newcastle captain and Havertz drops to provide a passing option.
    Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Contained within all these fiascoes is a subtly different conservative movement.
    Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Kevin Durant waving bye to Deandre Ayton after he was ejected from the game.
    Dan Woike, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Wayne remembers trying to care for his father in his last years, only to be waved off during hours-long phone conversations with Sonny Rollins.
    Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The conventions of American journalism don’t serve this shifting, multi-sided reality well.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Land borders dispute since 1948 The creation of the state of Israel in 1948, which led to the mass displacement of over 750,000 Palestinians and a subsequent Arab-Israeli war in 1948, led to a further shifting of borders in the region.
    Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Some gestured, comically, at their excitement at helping to reform Saudi society.
    Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Smith positions the avenging goddess in a horror-show hall of mirrors, with a closed-circuit video feed focused on Vindicatrix’s upraised arm gesturing in oath.
    Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In addition to negotiating major deals — including Jackson's purchase of Neverland Ranch — Branca also helped orchestrate landmark moves like the acquisition of the ATV Music catalog, which included publishing rights to songs by The Beatles.
    Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The moves come after a series of rate increases that tacked on an average $43 a month to customer power bills, drawing the ire of consumers.
    Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • One of the most enduring royal handbag traditions dates back to Queen Elizabeth II, who reportedly used her purse as a discreet way to signal staff during public engagements.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Earnings from India’s bellwether software services exporters have reinforced investor concerns about the sector’s growth prospects, signaling that the downturn in their stocks has further to run.
    Ashutosh Joshi, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Libra September 23 – October 22 A simple shift in approach brings things back into balance.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
  • After shift supervisor would come shift manager, followed by assistant manager, followed by manager, district manager.
    Saïd Sayrafiezadeh, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Most fans understand that the need for more professional-caliber resources wasn’t going to be met under Mohegan Tribe ownership, but there is deep frustration over the Sun’s relocation out of New England.
    Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Officials initially concluded that the relocation did not warrant strict controls.
    Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Motion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motion. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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