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
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
Meanwhile, Soler and López began trading words, with López seemingly motioning at Soler to do something.
—Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
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
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
Meanwhile, Soler and López began trading words, with López seemingly motioning at Soler to do something.
—Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motioning
Verb
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Turn to face the shore, tread water, and signal for help by calling out or waving your arms.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2026
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This week, social media was rife with videos of fans from Argentina in Kansas City for the match against Algeria in high spirits, chanting and waving flags in places like Jack Stack Barbecue.—
Eric Adler
June 18,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Josh asks, gesturing to their current situation of eating dinner atop a yoga mat in the kitchen of their apartment.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
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The premise means that almost the entire episode is free of dialogue, with the characters communicating by writing on chalkboards and gesturing.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motioning. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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