as in motioned
to direct or notify by a movement or gesture
beckoned the bashful child to come closer
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Recent Examples of beckoned
The board beckoned Iger back in November 2022 to quell a revolt by senior Disney executives and allay concerns among investors.
—
Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
An academic career beckoned back home in Dublin, but the twenty-four-year-old apprentice writer was eager to forge a more artistic path.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Piles of organic and locally sourced produce, from delicata squash to Japanese sweet potatoes, beckoned, as did prepared foods like sushi, fig turkey sandwiches, and cups of parfait cookies and cream.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Some of us headed off to bed; for others, another movie beckoned.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026
With beautiful beaches, lush tropical forests, and some of the best resorts in the Caribbean, Jamaica has long beckoned winter-weary travelers looking to recharge under sunny skies.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2026
As the minutes ticked by, Avalos was beckoned by advocates to deal with the minutiae of legal immigration.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2026
The coaching ladder beckoned onward and upward – assistant gigs with Miami and Rutgers and back to Miami.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
With the Barcelona players about to go up to collect their trophy on the pitch, Alonso beckoned his Madrid players over to form a guard of honour — as Hansi Flick’s side had just done for them.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
An academic career beckoned back home in Dublin, but the twenty-four-year-old apprentice writer was eager to forge a more artistic path.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Piles of organic and locally sourced produce, from delicata squash to Japanese sweet potatoes, beckoned, as did prepared foods like sushi, fig turkey sandwiches, and cups of parfait cookies and cream.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Some of us headed off to bed; for others, another movie beckoned.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026
With beautiful beaches, lush tropical forests, and some of the best resorts in the Caribbean, Jamaica has long beckoned winter-weary travelers looking to recharge under sunny skies.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2026
As the minutes ticked by, Avalos was beckoned by advocates to deal with the minutiae of legal immigration.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2026
The coaching ladder beckoned onward and upward – assistant gigs with Miami and Rutgers and back to Miami.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
With the Barcelona players about to go up to collect their trophy on the pitch, Alonso beckoned his Madrid players over to form a guard of honour — as Hansi Flick’s side had just done for them.
—Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beckoned
Verb
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From her seat two rows behind the Republican leaders, Pavalock-D’Amato stood, turned around and motioned to her pro-ICE message.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The View producer Brian Teta got an eyeful — as did viewers at home — when three cohosts motioned toward their privates during a discussion about childbirth.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Canadian fans wearing red waved handheld flags.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The Disney World first-timer waved at Tigger, grinned for photos with Cinderella and faced down stormtroopers on a Star Wars ride.—
Hannah Sampson,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Several cool props gestured to historical infrastructural neglect and botched Hurricane Maria recovery efforts.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Hansen gestured toward the springs.—
Josh Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Beckoned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beckoned. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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