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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of motioned
From her seat two rows behind the Republican leaders, Pavalock-D’Amato stood, turned around and motioned to her pro-ICE message.
—
Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 5 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
As Kupp motioned to the other side of the formation, corner Josh Wallace followed him all the way across, which gave Darnold a major man tell.
—Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Mims motioned from the right slot to outside on the left.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
Taha, on the other side of the fire, checked its position and motioned for release.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Dec. 2025
Lopez grabbed his scurrying toddler and motioned to the truck with his hand to apologize for her.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 9 Dec. 2025
That prosecutor, Pete Skandalakis, motioned to dismiss the case.
—Npr Washington Desk, NPR, 26 Nov. 2025
While the mayor motioned to approve the permit request, the motion was not seconded.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2025
Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 5 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
As Kupp motioned to the other side of the formation, corner Josh Wallace followed him all the way across, which gave Darnold a major man tell.
—Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Mims motioned from the right slot to outside on the left.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
Taha, on the other side of the fire, checked its position and motioned for release.
—IEEE Spectrum, 24 Dec. 2025
Lopez grabbed his scurrying toddler and motioned to the truck with his hand to apologize for her.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 9 Dec. 2025
That prosecutor, Pete Skandalakis, motioned to dismiss the case.
—Npr Washington Desk, NPR, 26 Nov. 2025
While the mayor motioned to approve the permit request, the motion was not seconded.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motioned
Verb
-
Canadian fans wearing red waved handheld flags.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The Disney World first-timer waved at Tigger, grinned for photos with Cinderella and faced down stormtroopers on a Star Wars ride.—
Hannah Sampson,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Several cool props gestured to historical infrastructural neglect and botched Hurricane Maria recovery efforts.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Hansen gestured toward the springs.—
Josh Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The board beckoned Iger back in November 2022 to quell a revolt by senior Disney executives and allay concerns among investors.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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An academic career beckoned back home in Dublin, but the twenty-four-year-old apprentice writer was eager to forge a more artistic path.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motioned. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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