motioning

present participle of motion
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of motioning My parents use chopsticks, lifting their bowls and motioning the food into their mouths. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026 The Giants ran a modified version of the tush push, with 300-pound fullback Pat Ricard motioning behind Dart to help the quarterback surge forward on his sneaks. — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 The Mercyenforcer holds the Heartfiller in his fist, motioning me closer. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 Hamrick said to his companion, motioning to a spot short of the summit. — John Blake, CNN Money, 19 July 2026 In video shared by the outlet, Stewart grips surfaces for support while singing before motioning to a crew member, who brings over an oxygen tank and places the mask over his nose and mouth. — Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 21 June 2026 Gary Belaria said, motioning toward the parking lot. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026 Officers were able to observe surveillance camera recordings which showed Moskovita motioning the girl toward him, then grabbing her hand and taking her into the restroom. — Logan Smith, CBS News, 1 June 2026 Anunoby was having another strong game Wednesday before appearing to suffer a leg injury and motioning to come out of the game. — ABC News, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motioning
Verb
  • In Caracas, hundreds of activists in sky blue shirts — the color of Machado’s Vente Venezuela party — rode motorcycles and drove through the capital’s main avenues, honking their horns and waving Venezuelan flags.
    — Clyburn Saint John, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In Paris, around 800,000 lined the Champs-Élysées avenue, some waving Vatican or French flags while others climbed trees or stood on each other’s shoulders to get a glimpse of the popemobile.
    — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The mix of drums informed by rap and R&B, strings and guitars gesturing to rock and country, and pop-radio confetti resulted in a grab bag of both great and grating quality.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Those who reject or question her motives are pushed far into the movie’s gradual, calculated unspooling, gesturing at thorny complexities which are never allowed to arise.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Motioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motioning. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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