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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of motioned
Any chance at further punctuating his standing heading into the offseason vanished when McCarthy motioned over at team trainers following his first completion of the second half.
—
Alec Lewis, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Strange, though, motioned inside to help block an all-out Denver blitz.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Taha, on the other side of the fire, checked its position and motioned for release.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Dec. 2025
That prosecutor, Pete Skandalakis, motioned to dismiss the case.
—Npr Washington Desk, NPR, 26 Nov. 2025
One week later during a 34-31 win over Vanderbilt at DKR, Wingo again motioned to the right of Manning on UT's first snap and again snagged a quick pass.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 14 Nov. 2025
While the mayor motioned to approve the permit request, the motion was not seconded.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2025
Leggett appeared upset and motioned his hands, the complaint says.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 30 Oct. 2025
From the Kansas City 20, Rashee Rice motioned across the formation and picked up five yards on the opening play.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
Alec Lewis, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Strange, though, motioned inside to help block an all-out Denver blitz.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Taha, on the other side of the fire, checked its position and motioned for release.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Dec. 2025
That prosecutor, Pete Skandalakis, motioned to dismiss the case.
—Npr Washington Desk, NPR, 26 Nov. 2025
One week later during a 34-31 win over Vanderbilt at DKR, Wingo again motioned to the right of Manning on UT's first snap and again snagged a quick pass.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 14 Nov. 2025
While the mayor motioned to approve the permit request, the motion was not seconded.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2025
Leggett appeared upset and motioned his hands, the complaint says.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 30 Oct. 2025
From the Kansas City 20, Rashee Rice motioned across the formation and picked up five yards on the opening play.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motioned
Verb
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Trump put on one of the rings, flashed it to the cameras and waved his new hockey stick during the ceremony.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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Frederic was due to be an unrestricted free agent and the Bruins waved the white flag on their playoff hopes.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Trump gestured to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials when asked who would serve as his proconsuls in Venezuela.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
3 Jan. 2026
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McMillian, who was blitzing, gestured back at his would-be matchup — Washington — lined up in the slot.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Early college enrollment beckoned, even if high school graduation hadn’t yet happened.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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Returning to White’s home, residents beckoned Lincoln to give a speech from the front porch.—
George Castle,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motioned. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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