as in migrant
having a way of life that involves moving from one region to another typically on a seasonal basis
most of the apple crop is picked by migratory workers migratory birds heading south for the winter
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Recent Examples of migratory
But because their populations span international borders, with migratory routes around the globe, sharks and rays need international protection, not just local efforts.
—
Gareth J. Fraser, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
Amid the eucalyptus groves at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, local bug enthusiast Sasha Hernandez squinted through the draping green leaves, searching for flashes of black and orange — the wings of migratory monarch butterflies traveling from west of the Rocky Mountains.
—Olivia Maule, Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2025
Mexico’s willingness to explore counter-migratory politics soon dissipated.
—Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Many species, like migratory birds, sea turtles, rely on this invisible global grid for long-distance navigation, orientation, and even hunting.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for migratory
Gareth J. Fraser, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
Amid the eucalyptus groves at Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, local bug enthusiast Sasha Hernandez squinted through the draping green leaves, searching for flashes of black and orange — the wings of migratory monarch butterflies traveling from west of the Rocky Mountains.
—Olivia Maule, Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2025
Mexico’s willingness to explore counter-migratory politics soon dissipated.
—Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Many species, like migratory birds, sea turtles, rely on this invisible global grid for long-distance navigation, orientation, and even hunting.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for migratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for migratory
migrant
Adjective
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Prominent leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention have come to the church's defense, arguing that compassion for migrant families affected by the crackdown cannot justify violating a sacred space during worship.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
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They have been trained on documenting federal immigration agents’ actions with cell phone video and quickly warning migrant neighbors with whistles and car horns.—
Isabel Rosales,
CNN Money,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Migratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/migratory. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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