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
In fact, one of the very last motions the task force voted on was offered by co-chair Linda Chapin. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 In his motion to dismiss, Williams argued that after three years and three versions of the complaint, Hugo failed to clearly identify a copyright claim that belongs in federal court. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
Ripa then motioned to the other side, indicating that the hotel placed the tissue holder to the left of the toilet. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026 Audience jeers council’s I-77 decision Mayfield, who serves council at-large, motioned to keep Charlotte from changing its previous vote against the toll lanes. — Charlotte Observer, 22 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
  • In contrast to other Gulf monarchies, especially Saudi Arabia, Qatar sees no threat in the Muslim Brotherhood, the political movement that spawned Hamas.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Additional investments in chemical processing, fairing preparation, tooling, and storage will support the movement of hardware through the manufacturing process.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of movement
Verb
  • White stroked a 3-pointer and waved his arms over his head to the crowd.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The group and left-wing student organisations had urged supporters to gather at the Central Park in New Delhi’s busy Connaught Place shopping and food district on Friday evening to wave and hoist the national flag.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of wave
Noun
  • Masterplan, though, will be exclusive to streaming—but Tucci seems comfortable shifting platforms when required.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Leaning into a new fragrance can be a meaningful way to mark the shifting of the seasons, and Belnu's two latest launches -- Still Bloom and Vanilla Bouclé -- offer two stunning scents to try this fall.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of shifting
Verb
  • This is a subject far older than this Lean-In-era epiphany, yet New Stanford stops short at gesturing faintly in the direction of conversations that could theoretically be had.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Prescott then can be seen speaking to Cowboys security and gesturing toward the other man.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of gesture
Noun
  • Many hotels have abandoned single-use amenities, and the JW Marriott has followed that move by installing refillable shampoo and other containers.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The effort to free Hubbard comes as Trump pressures Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to make a deal with Putin by handing over territory that Russia has not been able to conquer, a move that the Ukrainians believe would amount to defeat.
    — Michael Birnbaum, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of move
Verb
  • But the posting of the media list signaled, at least on an organizational level, the trip was going ahead.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • For Dan Greenhaus, strategist at Solus Alternative Asset Management, CoreWeave isn’t a canary in the coal mine that signals the AI bust is imminent.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of signal
Noun
  • Having dressed numerous actresses throughout her career, Chiuri sees a shift in red carpet culture toward individualized creations and, more recently, greater restraint.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Warsh described the global shift toward tighter monetary policy as a common fight on prices.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of shift
Noun
  • The researchers used Forbes billionaire rankings, real estate reports, and public relocation announcements.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • By spring, with the opportunity fading for a mass relocation of homes and businesses, optimism crept back into public discourse.
    — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 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 22 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on motion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about motion

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