motioning

present participle of motion
as in waving
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

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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 motioning My parents use chopsticks, lifting their bowls and motioning the food into their mouths. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026 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 The Mercyenforcer holds the Heartfiller in his fist, motioning me closer. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 Hamrick said to his companion, motioning to a spot short of the summit. — John Blake, CNN Money, 19 July 2026 In video shared by the outlet, Stewart grips surfaces for support while singing before motioning to a crew member, who brings over an oxygen tank and places the mask over his nose and mouth. — Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 21 June 2026 Gary Belaria said, motioning toward the parking lot. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026 Officers were able to observe surveillance camera recordings which showed Moskovita motioning the girl toward him, then grabbing her hand and taking her into the restroom. — Logan Smith, CBS News, 1 June 2026 Anunoby was having another strong game Wednesday before appearing to suffer a leg injury and motioning to come out of the game. — ABC News, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for motioning
Verb
  • The stranger approached the store owner, a stout man waving a rattan fan lazily at his face while sitting at the till.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Fortunately, her dad is used to making saves in front of 42,843 towel-waving fans.
    — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But jumping off the field throughout the game was enforcing linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who led the team with 12 tackles against his former club, gesturing and yelling at their sidelines throughout.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026
  • And there, Guadagnino says, gesturing to a section covered by a red tarp, is where his team built the men’s bathrooms where some computer scientists have a pissing contest.
    — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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