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 fact, one of the very last motions the task force voted on was offered by co-chair Linda Chapin. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 In his motion to dismiss, Williams argued that after three years and three versions of the complaint, Hugo failed to clearly identify a copyright claim that belongs in federal court. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
Ripa then motioned to the other side, indicating that the hotel placed the tissue holder to the left of the toilet. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026 Audience jeers council’s I-77 decision Mayfield, who serves council at-large, motioned to keep Charlotte from changing its previous vote against the toll lanes. — Charlotte Observer, 22 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
  • In contrast to other Gulf monarchies, especially Saudi Arabia, Qatar sees no threat in the Muslim Brotherhood, the political movement that spawned Hamas.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Additional investments in chemical processing, fairing preparation, tooling, and storage will support the movement of hardware through the manufacturing process.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of movement
Verb
  • White stroked a 3-pointer and waved his arms over his head to the crowd.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The group and left-wing student organisations had urged supporters to gather at the Central Park in New Delhi’s busy Connaught Place shopping and food district on Friday evening to wave and hoist the national flag.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of wave
Noun
  • Leaning into a new fragrance can be a meaningful way to mark the shifting of the seasons, and Belnu's two latest launches -- Still Bloom and Vanilla Bouclé -- offer two stunning scents to try this fall.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • That's led to some concern about whether the team needs to alter its approach to cut down on the flags — perhaps by using less motion and shifting.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of shifting
Verb
  • Prescott then can be seen speaking to Cowboys security and gesturing toward the other man.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 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
  • But the novelty of the move — Ohtani only took batting practice on the field a few times during the regular season, always in the midst of a slump — had yet to fully wear off.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The simulation accounted for the real motors’ limited strength and speed, as well as the play in their gears, so the robot learned moves its body could actually pull off in real life.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of move
Verb
  • But the posting of the media list signaled, at least on an organizational level, the trip was going ahead.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • For Dan Greenhaus, strategist at Solus Alternative Asset Management, CoreWeave isn’t a canary in the coal mine that signals the AI bust is imminent.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of signal
Noun
  • Having dressed numerous actresses throughout her career, Chiuri sees a shift in red carpet culture toward individualized creations and, more recently, greater restraint.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Warsh described the global shift toward tighter monetary policy as a common fight on prices.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of shift
Noun
  • Organizers said several setbacks have contributed to the financial challenges, including severe flooding in 2018, relocation expenses, inflation and intense weather during last month's festival.
    — Jessica Riley, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The relocation was a last resort after the orangutans’ original habitat was no longer safe, YIARI CEO Karmele Llano Sanchez said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on motion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about motion

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