1
as in engines
a device that changes energy into mechanical motion
the device was equipped with a small electrical motor to make the gears spin
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in cars
a self-propelled passenger vehicle on four wheels
went shopping for a new automobile at Valley Motors
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in speeds
to proceed or move quickly
effortlessly motored past the other runners for a first-place finish
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of motors
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
The motors on the steering rack of the vehicle move its wheels.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
Class 1 e-bikes have motors that only provide assistance when the rider is pedaling, whereas Class 2 e-bikes have an electric motor that cuts out when the brake is applied.
—Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
In cars, they’re used to connect the battery to motors, for lights and sensors, for braking systems, airbag controllers, entertainment systems and electric windows.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
In front of me, as various motors rev up to speed, the robot shuffles in place, looking like an arthritic boxer readying for a fight.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Those materials include sodium perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate precursors and nitrocellulose, all key components in solid-fuel rocket motors.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
The numbers don’t do justice to the way the four power sources play together, however, delivering a seamless rush of force as the electric motors perfectly fill in the gaps in the engine’s power band, combining the immediacy of an EV with the emotionality of a high-revving V12.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2025
The boat's captain fired up the twin 200-horsepower motors and floated slowly into the clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, then hit the throttle.
—Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
Later this year, UEL plans to expand those tests by flying additional components, including motors and electronics, on another Nuri rocket mission through a university CubeSat collaboration.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
The motors on the steering rack of the vehicle move its wheels.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
Class 1 e-bikes have motors that only provide assistance when the rider is pedaling, whereas Class 2 e-bikes have an electric motor that cuts out when the brake is applied.
—Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
In cars, they’re used to connect the battery to motors, for lights and sensors, for braking systems, airbag controllers, entertainment systems and electric windows.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
In front of me, as various motors rev up to speed, the robot shuffles in place, looking like an arthritic boxer readying for a fight.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Those materials include sodium perchlorate, ammonium perchlorate precursors and nitrocellulose, all key components in solid-fuel rocket motors.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
The numbers don’t do justice to the way the four power sources play together, however, delivering a seamless rush of force as the electric motors perfectly fill in the gaps in the engine’s power band, combining the immediacy of an EV with the emotionality of a high-revving V12.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2025
The boat's captain fired up the twin 200-horsepower motors and floated slowly into the clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, then hit the throttle.
—Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motors
Noun
-
For example, Mayor Bass proposed and secured $120 million in funding authorization for engines, trucks, and other apparatus during FY 24-25 and FY25-26.—
Jeff Nguyen,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
And in the center of this unexpected industry is a generation of players and operators who treat claw machines not as games, but as engines for making money.—
Anna Rahmanan,
thehustle.co,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Themed wallpaper is displayed in honor of thousands of songs that reference the company's cars.—
Alysia Burgio,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
As demonstrators started their march to the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium on J Street, passing cars honked in solidarity and protesters cheered in response.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After the shooting, the SUV speeds into two cars parked on a curb before crashing to a stop.—
Rebecca Santana,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This slows down the release of ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening.—
Nashia Baker,
Martha Stewart,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When the temperature drops below 32 degrees and a glowing snowflake on the dashboard warns of icy roads, my car practically drives itself to Lighthouse Tofu in Annandale.—
Elazar Sontag,
Washington Post,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Those near misses helped extend Ole Miss drives at times.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
While still early, the update points to a future where humanoid robots learn less like machines and more like people.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Jan. 2026
-
No one could trace the secret roots of Skinny Pedro’s devotion to the world of machines.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Like other iconic car producers, Maybach shifted from making specialty engines to building automobiles.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
4 Jan. 2026
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The Petersen Automotive Museum is a celebration of all things to do with automobiles and their long, colorful history.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Professional horseback riders run through a course made of snow while towing a skier or snowboarder who races the clock — all while staying upright and attached to the tow rope.—
The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Holly races them out to the mine shaft, past the memory of the injured guy in the lab coat, but again, Henry follows.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Guests staying at the Beach Club have indulgent perks like a complimentary 15-minute ride on the adorable Sorbetto Fiat boat that tools around Lake Boca.—
Angela Caraway-Carlton,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
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Many employees may not be aware of the dangers associated with feeding GenAI tools sensitive data.—
Camellia Chan,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Motors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motors. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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