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
Motions for acquittal, new trial All four filed motions for acquittal at the conclusion of the trial. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026 Rob Youngren, project manager for Sacramento Area Bike Advocates, said parents should look for helmets with MIPS, a plastic low-friction layer inside the helmet that helps to reduce rotational motion of the brain. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
Faragna motioned to Nardulli to step to one side and spoke into his ear with circumspection. — Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026 Malonga motioned to the ground behind us and described his vision of an outdoor cooking arena for conferences and events, as well as a bakery, a butchery, and a cheese workshop. — Alicia Erickson, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 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
  • In part, this shifting of possession is forced by Brighton, whose out-of-possession approach is much more aggressive.
    — Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The Ultra also pairs an eight-speed Shimano drivetrain with EDS electronic shifting.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 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
  • Some China watchers, however, are keeping their expectations low, as both sides appear to be more interested in avoiding moves that would risk their current trade truce.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Top Republican and Democratic members of the panel condemned Black’s defiance and are weighing whether to hold him in contempt of Congress, a move that could expose him to criminal prosecution.
    — Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on motion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about motion

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