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
The judge denied the motion but instructed jurors to dismiss the comments and sent them home early. — Nbc News, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026 In a separate July 15 order, Gilstrap granted part of Linctex’s motion for summary judgment of noninfringement. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
After lunging for the ball, Sonnett fell to the ground, grabbed her left knee and motioned to Gotham’s bench for medical assistance. — Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 31 July 2026 The hub of the spaceship was too crowded and chaotic for communication, so Frank Kuligowski motioned his pal to the peace of a nearby corridor. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 26 July 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
  • For Katwala, the most impressive elements from the Games were the robots playing tennis, seeming to react to the movement of the ball and, in a match featuring robots playing alongside humans in doubles, of their partner, too.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Precision control for launchers Curtiss-Wright’s electromechanical actuators will provide precise movement and positioning for the system.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of movement
Verb
  • Another shows someone climbing into a helicopter, stepping from a roof terrace, onto the landing gear and then into the cockpit, after appearing to take off their t-shirt to wave and attract the aircraft’s attention.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Dance, stretch, sway, walk, garden, or wave your arms around your living room.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of wave
Noun
  • What sets it apart is its use of a Shimano Cues Di2, one of the component maker’s low-end electronic shifting systems.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The bargain rewards responsible development and filters out speculation, secrecy and cost shifting.
    — Mark Drapeau, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of shifting
Verb
  • Diamondbacks pitching coach Brian Kaplan also grew animated and seemed to gesture toward Berry in the coach’s box.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The president gestured at Nathaniel Rai, a 10-year-old who was rescued from rough surf in Santa Cruz by lifeguard Ryder Williams, who sat across from him in the Oval Office.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of gesture
Noun
  • This move was not entirely unexpected, as Bezos hinted at the possibility during an interview with CNBC back in May.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In recent weeks, Warsh’s and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s approaches to recent market moves increasingly seem to be at odds with each other.
    — Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of move
Verb
  • That immediately signaled some future starting competition at best and a swing tackle option at worst.
    — Jon Machota, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Prospects of higher rates are also denting investors sentiment, after Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh signaled that a possible rate hike was on the table, warning that inflation was still above target.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of signal
Noun
  • The role of companies Singapore’s new scheme shifts from merely encouraging births to focus on family well-being over the long term, which might help change how potential parents think about children.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
  • As Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has pointed out, Apple has made this shift before when the Friday has been on this date.
    — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of shift
Noun
  • The relocation effort gained urgency after Marineland warned officials that it could be forced to euthanize the mammals if the export permits were not quickly approved.
    — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • City assistance Meanwhile, Asia Jones, a spokesperson for the city, said the city has offered relocation assistance to residents with help from community organizations and the property’s new owner.
    — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on motion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about motion

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