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

Efforts to bring Pooh home over the years have entailed questions in Parliament, motions in Congress, pleas from prime ministers and mediation by two presidents. — Steve Hendrix The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026 Still, these motions to disqualify are rare, and yet even more rare when they are made by the government. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 Switzer and another parent signed up, giving the firm the ability to file motions and argue in court. — Henry Culvyhouse, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2026 In fact, one of the very last motions the task force voted on was offered by co-chair Linda Chapin. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 During shampooing, work the brush across the scalp in circular motions to loosen buildup and residue. — Laura Sandroni, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026 The Shelly Presence Gen4 sensor uses mmWave radar technology instead of a camera to detect the presence, motions, and activities of people and pets. — Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026 Hellerstein agreed to a joint request from prosecutors and defense attorneys to delay the trial by two weeks, giving both sides additional time to prepare and file pretrial motions. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026 After using a suite of telescopes to estimate their masses — using the motions of their stars as a proxy — the researchers found that all three have little dark matter. — Quanta Magazine, 14 Oct. 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

Two months of virtual-production exploration before filming also allowed Fraser and the directors to test lighting, camera movements and the scale of spacecraft interiors.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026
Participants’ movements, facial expressions and vocal reactions (along with a little interpretation from accompanying parents) suggested a clear winner.

— Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 17 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

Noun

The moves come even as the sector is enjoying robust profits from growing consumer spending and resilient credit.

— Hugh Son, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
All dressed in the same plum two-piece set, their harmonies and coordinated dance moves honored Winehouse’s love of that era while breathing new life into the track.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of moves

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

His method is often to approach cultural or political phenomena, progressive or reactionary, with a mix of Gen X irony and sincere moralism which, by degrees, subtly shifts the frame of the discourse to the right.

— Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
Amid a nationwide nursing shortage, the hospitals are paying overtime to nurses in order to fill shifts, officials said.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026