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
On March 3, 2025, a motion to advance the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act received 51 votes in favor and 45 against, falling short of the three-fifths threshold required. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026 While some participants pressed buttons to learn, others did MUCH bigger motions – like swinging a lightsaber to hit the stripes, or punching a response box in front of them. — Emily Kwong, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
The shotgun snap bounced off Tre Harris as the receiver motioned across the formation. — Mike Sando, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 An elderly woman in a proper ink-black dress and modest, sensible heels motioned us over and led us down the aisle, inviting us to sit in the pair of waiting chairs just opposite the pulpit. — Literary Hub, 30 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
  • Macron's trip comes at a time of widespread domestic protests, with more than 600,000 people taking to the streets earlier this month to demand higher wages and support the country's student protest movement.
    — GRANT PECK, Arkansas Online, 15 Nov. 2026
  • To solve the case, prosecutors said the Elk Grove Police Department used Flock cameras and other traffic surveillance footage that captured Navarrete’s movements.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2026
Definition of movement
Verb
  • But the Englishwoman was trembling, and there were two women standing by a docked boat, waving toward the restaurant, the air pierced by their screams.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Children and their parents were waving flags in the streets celebrating the joyous news.
    — William Lambers, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of wave
Noun
  • At the same time, the shifting of the national political winds often has an impact in Connecticut.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Heated grips come as standard, while a reversible gearshift mechanism allows riders to switch to a race-style reverse shifting pattern for circuit use.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of shifting
Verb
  • Crystal Naldi, 32, said gesturing to her popcorn bucket emblazoned with the show’s poster art.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 9 Nov. 2026
  • While discussing the weapons, White allegedly gestured toward her torso and asked whether the guns could penetrate an agentâs body armor.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of gesture
Noun
  • The move by the Human Rights Council buys it more time to try to coax Washington to take part in the review.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2026
  • But the Dodgers also have a track record of splashy offseason moves.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of move
Verb
  • At Guest House Tofaj, a three-story stone-and-wood construction with a chimney signaling that tonight’s meal is already being made, nine-year-old Renaja does the talking for three generations of women who meet me in the garden.
    — Amber Dunlap, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2026
  • Staff first noticed changes Thursday, when a small depression and cracks formed in the sand of the incubation container, signaling that eggs were hatching below the surface, Adams said.
    — Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 14 Nov. 2026
Definition of signal
Noun
  • The Destination Stewardship Plan 2026–2030, meanwhile, shifts the focus from mainly growing tourism to managing its impact with protections for culture and the environment with a greater share flowing to island communities.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
  • This shift ensures more personnel are directly supporting investigations, operational activities, and partnerships in communities nationwide.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of shift
Noun
  • The relocation option existed, and another negotiated San Diego plan did not.
    — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • This is the second school relocation this fall, after heavy rains damaged Meacham Middle School.
    — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Nov. 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 15 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about motion

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