Thesaurus results for BECKON

beckon 1 of 2

verb

ˈbe-kᵊn

Definition of beckon

as in to motion

to direct or notify by a movement or gesture beckoned the bashful child to come closer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

beckon

2 of 2

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 beckon

Verb

Their return to this city ended in frustration, but further exploits and further connections beckon. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 June 2026 Now that summer has officially arrived, this is a fine time to enjoy the great outdoors — beaches are beckoning, trails must be climbed and parks can be explored. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 26 June 2026

Noun

Fame and fortune beckon, but soon their newfound celebrity status attracts attention from the criminal underworld. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beckon

Recent Examples of Synonyms for beckon

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
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

Definition of motion

Noun

The first wave of Social Security payments for July is scheduled to be distributed this week.

— Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 6 July 2026
SoCal’s housing market growth SpaceX’s record-shattering IPO has unleashed a wave of high-end home shoppers poised to reshape Southern California’s already tight coastal housing markets.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of wave

Noun

The collective shrug of Algerian shoulders would have been one of the considerations in the video review room, given that VARs the world over are lambasted for delaying the game when no one on the pitch seems interested in overturning the on-field decision.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 19 June 2026
The culprit — wearing tinted hippie glasses, a white tank top and a flower-print skirt — responded with a sheepish shrug and a smile.

— Antonio Ferme, Variety, 14 June 2026

Definition of shrug

Browse Nearby Words

beckets

beckon

beckoned

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Beckon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beckon. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of beckon

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on beckon

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes