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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Recent Examples of motioned
The regular working-class crew heading home for the day filed onto her bus when a supervisor popped by the front door and motioned to two teen girls.
—
Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
The attributes and their sustainability motioned toward a dynasty.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Channeling his inner Jameson, a spirited Simmons then motioned for Spider-Man to get tossed from the game.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Another incident identified by police allegedly occurred on March 27, when Berrios-Otero allegedly motioned for a 4-year-old child to sit on his lap and directed him to get a blanket, according to the warrant affidavits.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
In team periods Saturday, Joly motioned around the slot and outside, similar to how Engram lined up throughout practices last year.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 May 2026
Video footage shared online at the time showed that Queen Camilla motioned for Kate Middleton to move with a subtle sweep of her hand a few moments after the Princess of Wales joined the Queen's conversation with Melania during the official welcome at Windsor Castle.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Attorney Lynn Johnson stood before jurors in a Kansas City, Kansas, courtroom Tuesday afternoon and motioned to a metal device on wheels that was sitting in front of them.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2026
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
Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
The attributes and their sustainability motioned toward a dynasty.
—Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Channeling his inner Jameson, a spirited Simmons then motioned for Spider-Man to get tossed from the game.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Another incident identified by police allegedly occurred on March 27, when Berrios-Otero allegedly motioned for a 4-year-old child to sit on his lap and directed him to get a blanket, according to the warrant affidavits.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
In team periods Saturday, Joly motioned around the slot and outside, similar to how Engram lined up throughout practices last year.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 May 2026
Video footage shared online at the time showed that Queen Camilla motioned for Kate Middleton to move with a subtle sweep of her hand a few moments after the Princess of Wales joined the Queen's conversation with Melania during the official welcome at Windsor Castle.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Attorney Lynn Johnson stood before jurors in a Kansas City, Kansas, courtroom Tuesday afternoon and motioned to a metal device on wheels that was sitting in front of them.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motioned
Verb
-
As Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0, fans waved their flags, cheered and celebrated the major event that will hit Kansas City in a matter of days.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
-
Minutes after that, Jack Eichel scored, only for it to be waved off because Barbashev skated into the crease and made contact with Andersen’s mask.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Halverson gestured to a telephone behind him on his office desk.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Gray shook his head in mock frustration and gestured at his phone as the call went to Johansson’s voicemail.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
For most of the twentieth century, more people were leaving Italy than coming, beckoned by economic opportunities in the Americas and elsewhere.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
30 May 2026
-
Merging resortwear with sensuality and sinuous lines, the look beckoned the forthcoming summer season.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motioned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motioned. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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