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
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Recent Examples of motioning
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
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
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Images shared by Bakersfield Search & Rescue appear to show the hiker — who was bundled up in a sweatshirt, sweatpants, puffer coat and hat — smiling and waving as someone photographed him after the rescue.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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The dozens of signs waving in the cold winter air all expressed different concerns as people protested near Livernois Road and Walton Boulevard in Rochester Hills, Michigan.—
Julia Avant,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As two other agents rushed toward her window, gesturing at her and trying to open the vehicle’s door, Ross walked to the front of her vehicle.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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The footage, posted initially to Marzilli's Instagram account @emgonewild, begins with the free-diving instructor and her friends in full dive gear, screaming and gesturing at each other on the water's surface with big smiles on their faces.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Motioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motioning. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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