MOTIONS Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

motions 1 of 2

noun

plural of motion

as in movements

the act or an instance of changing position we were instructed not to make any sudden motions or we might scare away the deer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Garnett’s ruling on the motions will determine whether the case proceeds. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2026 Unlike demonstrations based only on predefined motions, this open interaction allowed visitors to observe the robot’s dynamic stability and control performance under external disturbances, according to a press release. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026 Pike’s legal team filed emergency motions to halt the execution in multiple courts before the prison called an ambulance. — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026 The judge overseeing Lindsay Clancy’s murder case denied one of her motions aimed at avoiding a retrial. — Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 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 Her lessons use hand motions, games and even scented stickers to make practicing English more engaging. — Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 28 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

Under the White House pool system, the networks -- ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News and NBC -- rotate responsibilities for gathering and distributing footage of the president's daily movements.

— Miriam Waldvogel, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Rather than relying solely on better control software, the team is investigating whether designing the robot’s mass, inertia, and force characteristics differently can make complex movements easier to achieve.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of movements

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

Definition of waves

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

Definition of gestures

Noun

Cindy Galán and Isabel Spencer were equally important because the film depends on the relationships among the women inside the house and how those relationships begin to change as the hierarchy shifts.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
In the third period, with his team trailing, his ice time was limited, but, during one of his few shifts, a pass came from behind the net and went through his legs for a Swayzes goal.

— Richie McGinniss, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026