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
Rachel Villalobos’ 9-year-old son Noah was born with schizencephaly, which causes motor skill delays. — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026 His utility and non-stop motor (87th percentile max speed) may still be on display, but the injuries will be more common, and the goals won’t come as often. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Verb
That company could motor to file and try to leapfrog Anthropic this summer. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 2 June 2026 Some manufacturers are trying to mimic the ICE car experience, such as retro-fitting old school motoring noises and gear simulations to entertain understimulated EV drivers. — New Atlas, 29 May 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
  • The area has also grown to be a regional economic engine with the nearby Alliance development generating billions of dollars in impact.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026
  • The signatories are asking Washington to help build the steering wheel before the engine hits recursive gear — to make the option to slow down viable so that no single lab or country has to unilaterally sacrifice competitive ground to exercise it.
    — Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of engine
Noun
  • One issue, Denker said, is the 220-plus manhole covers on the race circuit that had to be welded to ensure the race cars don't suck them off the road.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Shimmy first made a name for himself with the gritty 2020 EP Zombie Land, which introduced him as a street-centric rapper whose music made more sense rattling from the trunk of a car than playing in a nightclub.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of car
Verb
  • The range reflects the uncertainties around factors like how fast the ice melts off the landmass of Antarctica, which is sped up by the warming permafrost, said Obeysekera.
    — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • The delay comes as speeding remains a leading factor in traffic crashes across California.
    — Kristine Lazar, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of speed
Verb
  • Other experts say that unless Japan addresses the structural forces driving the weakness in yen, the intervention's effects are likely to be short-lived.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Both have driven over 20B minutes of viewership on streaming platforms from January through June.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of drive
Noun
  • Security video of the early April 9 morning burglary shows three men entered the business through a broken window, smashed the machines with sledge hammers and pried out the boxes while a fourth man acted as lookout, the report said.
    — Dennis Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Easily overlooked, lubricants are what keep the global machine industry running smoothly.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of machine
Noun
  • Kumamoto and other parts of the Kyushu region have increasingly become key production sites for automobiles and semiconductors, raising concerns over a possible hit to the economy.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 30 July 2026
  • Other businesses in economic sectors such as health, infrastructure and automobiles were forced to pay bribes and fees to companies linked to Khamenei and his family to continue to operate.
    — Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of automobile
Verb
  • Meanwhile, officials are racing to ensure older office buildings can be safely transformed into apartments.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • The duo also tapped Bamford Watch Department to help bring the new timepiece imbued in racing heritage to life.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 July 2026
Definition of race
Verb
  • 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
  • First up is Amanda, who is tooling through Belgravia with her poodle, Monty True Madness, in the front seat next to her.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 22 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 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on motor

Nglish: Translation of motor for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about motor

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