as in waved
to direct or notify by a movement or gesture
the referee motioned the team captains to confer with him on the sideline
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Recent Examples of motioned
Musk’s lawyers motioned for a mistrial several times during the contentious trial, contending that the billionaire Tesla CEO can’t get a fair trial in San Francisco because of animosity toward him from the public.
—
Barbara Ortutay, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Johnson opponents motioned last week to force a council floor vote on legislation to pause the One Fair Wage policy, passed in 2023 and now in its third year of moving toward full implementation.
—Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Ohtani watched the ball, flipped his bat and motioned with both hands to teammates in the third-base dugout.
—ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
Francis hopped to the stage and motioned to his co-producers, Fred Roos and Gray Frederickson, to give their speeches first.
—Paul Fischer, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
After about an hour, Diana motioned to her protection officer.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
That’s when Washington’s Department of Health motioned for and received an Order of Default against Montano.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
After some discussion, Council Vice President HwaJeong Kim motioned to deny the contract extension.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
The View producer Brian Teta got an eyeful — as did viewers at home — when three cohosts motioned toward their privates during a discussion about childbirth.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Feb. 2026
Barbara Ortutay, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Johnson opponents motioned last week to force a council floor vote on legislation to pause the One Fair Wage policy, passed in 2023 and now in its third year of moving toward full implementation.
—Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
Ohtani watched the ball, flipped his bat and motioned with both hands to teammates in the third-base dugout.
—ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
Francis hopped to the stage and motioned to his co-producers, Fred Roos and Gray Frederickson, to give their speeches first.
—Paul Fischer, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
After about an hour, Diana motioned to her protection officer.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
That’s when Washington’s Department of Health motioned for and received an Order of Default against Montano.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
After some discussion, Council Vice President HwaJeong Kim motioned to deny the contract extension.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
The View producer Brian Teta got an eyeful — as did viewers at home — when three cohosts motioned toward their privates during a discussion about childbirth.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motioned
Verb
-
Foligno held his stick in the air and waved to the cheering crowd after he was saluted with a tribute video during a timeout in the opening period.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
After the highlight reel concluded, Porzingis raised both arms over his 7-foot-3 frame and waved to the adoring crowd.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Immediately after hitting that shot, almost in one motion, Peterson turned around and gestured to coach Bill Self.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Moments later, Hopkins gestured with his arm after draining a 3-pointer.—
CBS New York Team,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Saturday’s spring temperatures beckoned area families outdoors to Rosewood Beach to take part in a kite-flying adventure.—
Gina Grillo,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
-
As last call beckoned at the Sandbar, the crowd thinned out.—
Adam Ciralsky,
Vanity Fair,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motioned. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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