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motion 1 of 2

noun

ˈmō-shən How to pronounce motion (audio)
Definition of motionnext
as in movement
the act or an instance of changing position we were instructed not to make any sudden motions or we might scare away the deer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Their best option would be to present a motion at the County Commission’s first October meeting to repeal the ordinance establishing the force. — Zoey Thomas, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026 On the Utes' first touchdown, Dampier went into motion as Parker took a direct snap. — Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
Verb
Bijan Robinson’s touchdown catch The Falcons motioned running back Bijan Robinson out of the backfield and, for the first time all game, put receiver Chris Blair onto the field with him. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 14 Sep. 2026 Two plays after the turnover, Agnew scrambled to his left and motioned for wide receiver Kobe Smith to head toward the end zone. — Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for motion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motion
  1. movement
  2. wave
  3. shifting
  4. gesture
  5. move
  6. signal
  7. shift
  8. relocation
Noun
  • Resist making a dramatic exit simply for the relief of movement.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • With faux marble flooring already bringing plenty of movement to shopping producer Lauren Arzbaecher’s apartment, a more neutral rug felt like the natural choice.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of movement
Verb
  • Last spring, Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner waved from a city fire truck at the front of the annual gay Pride parade down Ocean Drive.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Crowds had gathered on the sidewalk across from the museum, many waving Chinese and American flags.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of wave
Noun
  • The main reason is that large, widening cracks can signal structural shifting or underlying damage that DIY caulk cannot address.
    — Bianca Lambert, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Most EVs have a single-speed transmission, which means there’s no shifting between multiple gears.
    — Lauren Swift, AJC.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of shifting
Verb
  • Aces guards Jewell Loyd and Jackie Young gestured toward officials and security personnel while pointing out attendees sitting in the front row.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • During the sixth inning, Tigers manager AJ Hinch walked from the dugout to the plate and gestured toward the seats for Genevieve — whom Verlander shares with wife Kate Upton — to come out for a special surprise.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of gesture
Noun
  • The move would allow milder, natural kratom products to continue flying under regulatory radar.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The move might sound risky for a 20-something employee critiquing the work of one of the most powerful executives in media.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of move
Verb
  • Multiple nations have ramped up coal use to survive the crisis, which has also signaled to governments the need for renewable energy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The researchers developed an algorithm that monitors both signal strength and the shape of the resonance peak.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of signal
Noun
  • The series of hurricanes comes as the weather phenomenon El Niño prompts major environmental shifts across the world, fueling drought in some areas and flooding in others.
    — MEGAN JANETSKY, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Fleek, which sells wholesale secondhand clothing to resellers, has a commercial interest in that shift.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of shift
Noun
  • Some retired employees who worked undercover might need protection services like relocation assistance or even name changes if their data is exposed publicly.
    — Jenna McLaughlin, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
  • As for his next move, Perry is planning a big relocation—and a slowdown of his famously busy schedule.
    — India Roby, Architectural Digest, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of relocation

Phrases Containing motion

Browse Nearby Words

motility
motion
motioned
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Cite this Entry

“Motion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motion. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on motion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about motion

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