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
Prior to closing arguments, Hunter’s other lawyer, Eben Self, motioned for an acquittal by arguing there was no evidence Green was even killed in Orange County, which Chief Circuit Judge Lisa Munyon quickly denied.
—
Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
Then, when pressed if he's officially booked or not, the actor motioned that his lips are sealed.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
Shawn Iles, 3rd, was also poised to reject the proposal before Burns’ motioned to table the discussion.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
The photographer motioned her over, and took her picture.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 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
Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
Then, when pressed if he's officially booked or not, the actor motioned that his lips are sealed.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
Shawn Iles, 3rd, was also poised to reject the proposal before Burns’ motioned to table the discussion.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
The photographer motioned her over, and took her picture.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motioned
Verb
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But after initially stopping Ryan O’Hearn, third base coach Tony Beasley waved him home when the ball trickled into right field.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
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Before retreating into the basilica, Leo stepped forward out of the loggia's shadow and waved to the cheering crowd below.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Wiseman gestured with his hands, making a heart shape and pointing to a bracelet around his wrist.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
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Damas mistakenly believed his son had called the police on him, became angry, and gestured as if to hit him but never made physical contact, Nelson said.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After Adams received her award as a Green Goddess, Teamer beckoned her to remain near the podium for another presentation — a $1,200 check for her organization.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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Next came a real-estate heiress, who, between sips of the Edith (a heady blend of vermouth, sherry, and rum), beckoned one of the guests to the club’s back room.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motioned. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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