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
Steering is light, cornering is reasonably stable and body motions are controlled. — Josh Max, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Last month, the judge who had previously presided over the Proud Boys seditious conspiracy trial similarly granted DOJ's motion to dismiss that case. — Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
In security footage obtained by ABC 13, the officer, alleged to be Carrico, is seen motioning the woman to take a seat; the woman complies. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 26 June 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 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
  • The movement appears to have prompted adjustments inside Modi’s party.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Credit the on-trend silhouette, which tapers from knee to ankle, for making movement effortless.
    — Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of movement
Verb
  • Three had suffered burns, one seriously enough to be hospitalized twice and sent to a burn center after the injury was initially waved off as minor.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Nandy waved the merger through after receiving some pretty painless assurances from Ellison, including preserving the editorial independence of 5 News and kids channels.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of wave
Noun
  • Second, the recent shifting of US export control policy has created a real concern among other nations that access to frontier intelligence itself could someday be gated by geopolitics, not just chips.
    — Ashish Bhatia, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Recorded on a Tascam four-track in her Los Angeles living room, the demos capture Auf der Maur experimenting with acoustic guitar, bass, layered vocals and lo-fi tape manipulation, including reversing cassettes and pitch-shifting.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 20 July 2026
Definition of shifting
Verb
  • As the cardboard burned, Yachua Mauricio Flores, 23, poured a liquid onto the flames, causing the fire to grow as Vega stood nearby and gestured toward the blaze, according to prosecutors.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
  • Usher then gestured for the fan to be removed from the stage.
    — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026
Definition of gesture
Noun
  • The Fed opted to hold interest rates steady at its meeting last week, but central bankers appeared divided over the move.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The move comes nearly two years after the City of Fort Worth approved more than $70 million in incentives to support Phase II redevelopment.
    — Doug Myers, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of move
Verb
  • Since then, Tehran and Muscat have been negotiating over navigation through the strait and have signalled that an agreement could be within reach.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Squeeze, squeeze, went the boy’s hand, signalling that everything was correct.
    — Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of signal
Noun
  • Chainalysis attributes 84% of illicit crypto transaction volume to stablecoins, the endpoint of a shift the crime economy started making years ago, and stablecoins now settle more monthly volume than ACH.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Puberty already shifts this rhythm later, which is why many teenagers do not feel tired until close to midnight.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of shift
Noun
  • The current property owner has publicly stated that relocation assistance would be made available to eligible tenants if the plan is approved.
    — Emily McLeod, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • If the administration won’t act, Congress can protect those in the United States with the bipartisan Afghanistan TPS Act and restart the relocation through the Enduring Welcome Act.
    — Shawn VanDiver, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 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 10 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on motion

Nglish: Translation of motion for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about motion

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