as in movies
a story told by means of a series of continuously projected pictures and a sound track
a popular novel that was made into a major motion picture
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Recent Examples of motion pictures
The nominees for the 62nd annual Cinema Audio Society highlight the outstanding contributions of sound mixers, recognizing excellence in the specialized craft of sound mixing for both motion pictures and television.
—
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
Prior to Sarandos fielding an analyst’s query on Netflix’s changing views on theatrical, co-CEO Greg Peters waved some pom poms for motion pictures’ first window.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
To ensure future confidence in motion pictures, Zukor helped bring in a self-censoring body to keep the concerned government and public happy.
—Chris Yogerst, HollywoodReporter, 16 Jan. 2026
As Snider used Dorothy as an open sesame to the closed world of Playboy, so Hefner planned to use Dorothy as the open sesame to the closed world of major motion pictures.
—Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Humanity has developed a lot of new technologies in the past 150 years—powered flight, automobiles, electric lights, radio, television, the telephone, motion pictures, and more.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
Among those are classics like Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back which both became award-winning major motion pictures.
—Essence, 5 Nov. 2025
The $100 bills look real at first glance, but they are marked as fake and say they are only meant for use in making motion pictures, according to sheriff’s office spokesman Adam Lindhard.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
After first appearing in television episodes, the pair both went on to star in TV films and then major motion pictures.
—Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
Prior to Sarandos fielding an analyst’s query on Netflix’s changing views on theatrical, co-CEO Greg Peters waved some pom poms for motion pictures’ first window.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026
To ensure future confidence in motion pictures, Zukor helped bring in a self-censoring body to keep the concerned government and public happy.
—Chris Yogerst, HollywoodReporter, 16 Jan. 2026
As Snider used Dorothy as an open sesame to the closed world of Playboy, so Hefner planned to use Dorothy as the open sesame to the closed world of major motion pictures.
—Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Humanity has developed a lot of new technologies in the past 150 years—powered flight, automobiles, electric lights, radio, television, the telephone, motion pictures, and more.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
Among those are classics like Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back which both became award-winning major motion pictures.
—Essence, 5 Nov. 2025
The $100 bills look real at first glance, but they are marked as fake and say they are only meant for use in making motion pictures, according to sheriff’s office spokesman Adam Lindhard.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
After first appearing in television episodes, the pair both went on to star in TV films and then major motion pictures.
—Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motion pictures
Noun
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The first season is littered with strange narrative detours, thought-provoking philosophical takes, and a cinematic style that puts 99% of movies to shame.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Jan. 2026
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The writer-director and sometimes actor, who has co-written and directed five movies starring Italian comedy sensation Checco Zalone, just became part of a record-breaking feat.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Polk Theatre, an ornate 1928 Italianate venue, has been screening films in Lakeland’s downtown square since before moving pictures had sound.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
28 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Since launching with Fast & Furious in 2001, the films have combined to gross more than $7 billion worldwide.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
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Discoveryis the market’s platform showcasing feature films in development, promoting Nordic talents and fostering international co-production, financing and sales connections.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There’s been a couple of fun AI pictures.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
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Posters of rock bands were replaced with pictures of Serbian saints and stately World War I generals.—
Aleksandar Hemon,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motion pictures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motion%20pictures. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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