motions 1 of 2

plural of motion

motions

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of motion
as in waves
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

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 motions
Noun
The movement of warm waters, in turn, changes where heat enters the atmosphere, which alters the motions of atmospheric currents. — Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2026 The county has filed separate motions to dismiss those claims. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026 Prosecutors are expected to give an update on their plans for a new trial, and Clancy’s defense has also filed motions seeking to have the charges dismissed and calling for an investigation into the other jurors’ allegations against Desronvil. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026 In the meantime, Clancy’s attorney Kevin Reddington, in a bid to avoid a second trial, has filed several motions since the case ended in a mistrial earlier this month. — Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026 Her lessons use hand motions, games and even scented stickers to make practicing English more engaging. — Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026 In series of court filings over the past several months, including motions by the city to dismiss the case, the matter reached a possible ruling on September 22. — Jim Masters, Chicago Tribune, 27 Sep. 2026 Delivery mechanisms, pricing models and go-to-market motions are almost always tactics. — Amir Wain, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026 But Da Corte and Onli went several steps beyond the de rigueur motions of creating a hit show. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 22 Sep. 2026
Verb
Luz, the group’s search leader and spokesperson for the day, immediately motions with her hand for the group to drive forward. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motions
Noun
  • The team also mapped this change to the ventrolateral striatum (VLS), an area of the striatum involved particularly in movements of the mouth and tongue.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Studies have suggested that these small doses of movements have health benefits, such as improving cardiorespiratory fitness and even reducing the risks of cancer and dementia.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Picture a doorman who checks your ID with great care, then waves you into any apartment in the building.
    — Julian Durand, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The Spa At the beach-level spa, the windows were left wide open during my 60-minute Salt Air Reset massage, making all-natural birdsong and waves the soundtrack of my treatment.
    — Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • McKinsey’s data says some of those moves can be difficult for certain workers.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Because futures margin is only a fraction of a contract’s underlying value, relatively small price moves can produce outsize gains or losses.
    — Bruce Blythe, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Health care executive Rick Jackson gestures to a supporter while qualifying to run for governor at the Georgia state Capitol last month.
    — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Visit some wineries and the old tomato-canning factory at Vlychada, a museum that gestures both to an old family industry and also to contemporary art.
    — Timothy O'Grady, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2019
Noun
  • The lightweight compression socks are highly recommended by flight attendants, pilots, marathoners, and nurses who spend 12-hour shifts making rounds across hard hospital floors.
    — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Hair loss in women can be caused by many things, including your genetics, illnesses, nutritional deficiencies, physiological stress and shifts in hormones.
    — Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Motions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motions. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster