motor 1 of 2

noun

ˈmō-tər How to pronounce motor (audio)
Definition of motornext
1
as in engine
a device that changes energy into mechanical motion the device was equipped with a small electrical motor to make the gears spin

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2
as in car
a self-propelled passenger vehicle on four wheels went shopping for a new automobile at Valley Motors

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motor

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to speed
to proceed or move quickly effortlessly motored past the other runners for a first-place finish

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to drive
to travel by a motorized vehicle motoring along the highway at the speed limit

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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 motor
Noun
Anyone under 16-years-old may not operate devices that can exceed 20 mph on motor power alone. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 13 Nov. 2026 Improvements in materials, motors and energy storage could help narrow the gap between what the panels generate and what the aircraft needs to stay aloft. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
Verb
On Friday, Thomas motored his way around a double-team and sacked Seattle QB Jalen Milroe, forcing a fumble that the Seahawks recovered. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026 Owen Caissie was hit by a pitch and motored to third on Mack’s single. — August 15, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for motor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motor
  1. engine
  2. car
  3. speed
  4. drive
  5. machine
  6. automobile
  7. race
  8. tool
Noun
  • Skattebo was the engine of the Giants’ offense, totaling 122 yards and two touchdowns against the Washington Commanders.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 Nov. 2026
  • The tour wrapped up with a visit to the engine room, a jumble of pipes, catwalks and rails that were like a steampunk rendition of Chutes and Ladders.
    — Rachel Nuwer, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of engine
Noun
  • Abeyta left in his car before deputies arrived and surrendered to authorities the following day.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2026
  • While stopped, a white SUV pulled up alongside their car and a person inside opened fire at Delgado’s car, police said.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of car
Verb
  • Printing speeds up production The researchers also used additive manufacturing to simplify the production of the components.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026
  • This is a great example of our guards getting sped up to get downhill.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of speed
Verb
  • When the single mother of two was without a car to drive her son, senior Daijon Overton, from his home in Woodlawn to school in Morgan Park, the coach stepped in for the right tackle, Bush said.
    — Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Her husband instructed their 13-year-old son to drive his three siblings to a nearby relative's home.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of drive
Noun
  • Researchers at Colorado State University have developed flexible robots inspired by elephant trunks that can bend, grip objects, and connect with other machines.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The neighboring second room has detergent vending machines, cushy chairs to make waiting for those socks to dry more pleasant, and a pair of tall tables ideal for folding clothes.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of machine
Noun
  • The two governments have resumed negotiations after talks collapsed in August, with discussions focused on reducing tariffs on Canadian steel and automobiles.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2026
  • But tariffs on lumber, steel, aluminum and automobiles remain central sources of tension in the trading relationship.
    — Rich Percival, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of automobile
Verb
  • The Trojans raced to a 25-4 lead, including 18 in a row, to open the game.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
  • McAuley then raced out to a 10-2 lead in the third game, but the Trojans rallied to take a 20-19 advantage.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of race
Verb
  • One of the industry’s biggest challenges is tooling, as manufacturers must design, fabricate, and qualify physical dies and molds before production can begin.
    — Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Hig spends his days tooling around in an old Cessna, looking for supplies, survivors or signs of life, trying to stay ahead of scavengers known as Reapers, when he is drawn outside the perimeter and finds Cima (Margaret Qualley).
    — David Faris, TheWeek, 30 July 2026
Definition of tool

Phrases Containing motor

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motleys
motor
motorboat
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Cite this Entry

“Motor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motor. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on motor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about motor

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