MOTIONS Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

motions 1 of 2

noun

plural of motion

as in movements

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

motions

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of motion

as in waves

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 motions

Noun

At the University of Mississippi, a video went viral of a Black woman surrounded by white students and the white students mimicking ape-like motions toward the woman and making monkey-like calls. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 This includes interpreting standing rules and precedents, advising on the wording of motions, helping formulate statements, and answering parliamentary inquiries or points of order. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 The defendants’ decision not to question a witness did not amount to carrying out the agreements, the government argued, because the agreements did not require that action and the defendants had not withdrawn their pending motions. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026 In the first stage, reinforcement learning (RL) is used to teach the robot to track a wide range of human motions. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026 The city and developer sought to have their legal costs reimbursed, and Circuit Judge Brian Welke granted their motions earlier this month. — James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 Braun did not immediately respond to a voice message asking for insight into her reasons for opposing the motions. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026 Limits of robot autonomy The fact that many events still permitted humans to directly control robotic motions shows that autonomous robot systems still have a long way to go, Patel said. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026 Smith added that the trial occurred right around the time a new rule regarding peremptory challenges — motions by either side that exclude a juror — went into effect, making several reasons given by prosecutors to challenge a juror invalid. — Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026

Verb

Luz, the group’s search leader and spokesperson for the day, immediately motions with her hand for the group to drive forward. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motions

Noun

Anyone with spare time could surveil a harbor or the airspace above a military base and sell updates on flights, ships, and the movements of troops.

— Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Anwar Hussein There was a restlessness to Diana’s movements in those summer months.

— Allie Merriam, Vanity Fair, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of movements

Verb

Picture a doorman who checks your ID with great care, then waves you into any apartment in the building.

— Julian Durand, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
The Spa At the beach-level spa, the windows were left wide open during my 60-minute Salt Air Reset massage, making all-natural birdsong and waves the soundtrack of my treatment.

— Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of waves

Noun

The soft, stretchy fabric moves with you across terminals without bunching or binding, and because the top and bottom are already matched, getting dressed at the crack of dawn requires zero thought.

— Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026
By September, cooler air moves across Lake Superior, local breweries begin pouring their autumn releases, and early color starts showing in the forests surrounding Marquette.

— Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of moves

Noun

Green said the current moment reflects a long-term bet on Los Angeles, which has faced shifts in consumer behavior since the pandemic as well as the aftermath of the January 2025 wildfires.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Small, realistic shifts at home can make a world of difference.

— Tabitha Britt, Flow Space, 1 Sep. 2026