Thesaurus results for MOTIONING

motioning

verb

present participle of motion

as in waving

to direct or notify by a movement or gesture the referee motioned the team captains to confer with him on the sideline

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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 motioning Tight end John Bates lined up out wide to the far side, motioning to hurry up. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 My parents use chopsticks, lifting their bowls and motioning the food into their mouths. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026 The Giants ran a modified version of the tush push, with 300-pound fullback Pat Ricard motioning behind Dart to help the quarterback surge forward on his sneaks. — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 The Mercyenforcer holds the Heartfiller in his fist, motioning me closer. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 Hamrick said to his companion, motioning to a spot short of the summit. — John Blake, CNN Money, 19 July 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 Gary Belaria said, motioning toward the parking lot. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026 Officers were able to observe surveillance camera recordings which showed Moskovita motioning the girl toward him, then grabbing her hand and taking her into the restroom. — Logan Smith, CBS News, 1 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for motioning

Verb

Many of those violet-clad, towel-waving fans packed Chase Center for a Game 4 watch party.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
The cast members, if not running to de-wig and get into their next costume, can be seen dancing, waving and greeting others buried in that centre-stage circus.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of waving

Verb

This is a subject far older than this Lean-In-era epiphany, yet New Stanford stops short at gesturing faintly in the direction of conversations that could theoretically be had.

— Judy Berman, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Prescott then can be seen speaking to Cowboys security and gesturing toward the other man.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of gesturing

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motioned

motioning

motionless

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“Motioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/motioning. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of motioning

verb

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