as in waving
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 motioning
With the game well out of reach and 10 seconds to play, Tre White dunked — despite Self motioning from the sideline to dribble it out.
—
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 25 Jan. 2026
Good appears to be motioning to them with her hands.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Roberts joked, motioning for the entire auditorium at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles to stand for her.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
The next play offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand called involved a couple of players motioning.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
Virgin-Morgan then was motioning toward officials, but nothing was called by the crew.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 Nov. 2025
Before motioning for the resolution to be adopted, District 14 Ald.
—April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Palvin, who revealed before the show that the nerves still get to her, seemed at times disappointed in the crowd's reaction, motioning upward with her hands, expecting more applause.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
The officials talked about it and ruled that Goff didn't pause after motioning out from under center.
—Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 25 Jan. 2026
Good appears to be motioning to them with her hands.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Roberts joked, motioning for the entire auditorium at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles to stand for her.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026
The next play offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand called involved a couple of players motioning.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
Virgin-Morgan then was motioning toward officials, but nothing was called by the crew.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 Nov. 2025
Before motioning for the resolution to be adopted, District 14 Ald.
—April Quevedo, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Palvin, who revealed before the show that the nerves still get to her, seemed at times disappointed in the crowd's reaction, motioning upward with her hands, expecting more applause.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
The officials talked about it and ruled that Goff didn't pause after motioning out from under center.
—Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motioning
Verb
-
Extreme thoughtfulness went into the property built on the site of a former prominent elementary school, with some of its sakura (cherry blossom) and Japanese maple trees now waving in the breeze after being carefully moved pre-construction and replanted upon completion.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Those monthslong rallies were marked by a festive atmosphere and a striking blend of politics and pop culture, with protesters singing and waving colorful K-pop light sticks, and ended without major safety accidents.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The two talked for more than 10 minutes, taking turns gesturing pointedly.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
-
His lyrics detail a process of active healing, gesturing at a contentedness that beds in as your 20 begin to wane.—
Liam Inscoe-Jones,
Pitchfork,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motioning. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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