as in waving
to direct or notify by a movement or gesture
beckoned the bashful child to come closer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in inviting
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in invitation
Related 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 beckoning
Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Israel will not hold elections at the beckoning call of President Biden or the preaching American media.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2024
As with any festival worthy of its reputation, Telluride offers more beckoning films than attendees can see.
—Lisa Kennedy, The Know, 29 Aug. 2019
An overnight visit also improves visitors’ chances of hearing the beckoning howls of the wolves.
—Jennifer Nalewicki, Smithsonian, 20 Apr. 2017
Verb
Dickinson’s line readings are barbed yet beckoning, delivered with wild subtext bubbling just beneath the surface of his speech.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Israel will not hold elections at the beckoning call of President Biden or the preaching American media.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2024
As with any festival worthy of its reputation, Telluride offers more beckoning films than attendees can see.
—Lisa Kennedy, The Know, 29 Aug. 2019
An overnight visit also improves visitors’ chances of hearing the beckoning howls of the wolves.
—Jennifer Nalewicki, Smithsonian, 20 Apr. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beckoning
Adjective
-
Enabled by a state law that passed in 2024, up to $5.5 million in annual property tax money will fund work to make downtown Indianapolis safer and more inviting for the next decade, leaders say.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
18 July 2025
-
Soft blues, taupe, olive, or muted plum can instantly make a room feel warmer and more inviting.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Stakeholders should view the 60-day deadline not just as a compliance exercise but as an invitation to propose creative, sustainable models that link payment to measurable results.—
Rita Numerof,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Stam had to pull out because of an injury and there were no more invitations to join the national team.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Based on a 1967 semi-autobiographical short story by Akiyuki Nosaka, the film is a haunting, harrowing look at the physical and emotional costs of war.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
10 Aug. 2025
-
The novel is described as a haunting portrait of five strangers forging fragile bonds amid war and displacement on the Sudanese border.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
In early July, Ocean City and Worcester County jointly filed two legal appeals against US Wind’s air permit, claiming that the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), a state agency, issued the permit without following proper procedures.—
Anna Broughel,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
On a morning analyst call, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav talked about pulling back on library content licensing to rival streamers to focus on HBO Max and its consumer appeal.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
For millennials who recognize Snow from cult-classic teen comedies like 2006’s John Tucker Must Die and the Pitch Perfect franchise, her starring role as the self-destructive Sophie in The Hunting Wives is simultaneously nostalgic and intriguing.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Leagues Cup action returns on Thursday with an intriguing showdown, as the MLS side LA Galaxy takes on Liga MX team Santos Laguna.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
However, Orlando does already have a ride representing the franchise: the motion simulator attraction Fast & Furious – Supercharged. Rip Ride Rockit isn't the first roller coaster that has closed at Universal Orlando Resort since its grand opening on June 7, 1990.—
Gillian Telling,
People.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Then the main attraction will take place on Friday, when Fed Chair Jerome Powell will deliver a speech at a gathering in Jackson Hole, Wyo.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
However, his new costar Eddie Murphy had an interesting approach to sharing his wisdom.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Clarkson and Blackstock's divorce settlement made headlines in part for the inclusion of one interesting detail: their children's vaccination status.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Amorim took up the theme of only having players who want to be at United, praising Bruno Fernandes for rejecting the financial allure of Al Hilal in May.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Marriott is venturing beyond traditional hotel walls, tapping into the allure of nature.—
Emily Weiss,
Fortune,
10 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beckoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beckoning. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share