motion 1 of 2

noun

ˈmō-shən How to pronounce motion (audio)
Definition of motionnext
as in movement
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

motion

2 of 2

verb

as in to wave
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 motion
Noun
In September, Wagner heard arguments on Yust’s motion to overturn his convictions. — Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026 Matthew McConaughey was one of the first major celebrities to use trademark registrations to secure rights to voice clips and motion elements. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
The Giants ran a modified version of the tush push, with 300-pound fullback Pat Ricard motioning behind Dart to help the quarterback surge forward on his sneaks. — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Bijan Robinson’s touchdown catch The Falcons motioned running back Bijan Robinson out of the backfield and, for the first time all game, put receiver Chris Blair onto the field with him. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for motion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motion
  1. movement
  2. wave
  3. shifting
  4. gesture
  5. move
  6. signal
  7. shift
  8. relocation
Noun
  • Troop movements over the past couple of weeks indicate the group is concentrating on seizing the southwestern highlands, which could then open the way for a push toward the government’s capital, Aden.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Fifteen years later, the niche local broadcast on K-Beach Radio has ballooned into a cultural movement that extends far behind his alma mater’s campus.
    — Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of movement
Verb
  • Many of the details emerged in a rush shortly after the passengers, most of them Israeli, landed back home to cheers and waving flags.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Max Goldbart here taking you through a week in which one of the biggest entertainment deals of this century was waved through.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of wave
Noun
  • The main reason is that large, widening cracks can signal structural shifting or underlying damage that DIY caulk cannot address.
    — Bianca Lambert, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Most EVs have a single-speed transmission, which means there’s no shifting between multiple gears.
    — Lauren Swift, AJC.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of shifting
Verb
  • The Israelis squinted for a few moments and gestured others over.
    — Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The league on Monday suspended line judge Jeff Seeman for two games for swearing at Arizona’s Trey McBride and referee Adrian Hill for one game for yelling and gesturing at Minnesota’s Eric Wilson.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of gesture
Noun
  • The move comes as Treasury yields retreated from their highs but remain at elevated levels.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The move into podcasting marks another expansion for MasterClass, which has increasingly blurred the lines between online education and entertainment.
    — Anna Tingley, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of move
Verb
  • Country music star Zach Bryan signaled his support for Palestinians at the same stadium that recently banned rapper Macklemore over his efforts to do the same.
    — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Alaniz then stopped Kyle for following another vehicle too closely and allegedly failing to properly signal lane changes.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of signal
Noun
  • The development marks an important shift in the way modern militaries could defend against the growing threat posed by inexpensive drones.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Unlike some abrupt management shifts at theaters, Brätt is not inheriting a season that someone else put together.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of shift
Noun
  • Unlike Tamaki who advocated for the closure of Futenma without building a replacement in Henoko, Koja supported the relocation of Futenma’s airfield operations to Henoko as a way to secure Futenma’s return to Japanese control.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The relocation boom has boosted demand for housing, with supply falling behind, the mayor said.
    — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of relocation

Phrases Containing motion

Browse Nearby Words

motility
motion
motioned
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Cite this Entry

“Motion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motion. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on motion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about motion

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