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Showing results for motile. Search instead for motiles.
Definitions

motile

[moht-l, moh-til] / ˈmoʊt l, ˈmoʊ tɪl /
ADJECTIVE
mobile
Synonyms
STRONG
ambulatory fluid free itinerant liquid locomotive migrant peripatetic portable roving wandering
WEAK
adaptable changeable loose migratory motorized moving mutable nomadic roaming unsettled unstable unstationary unsteadfast unsteady versatile
Antonyms
STRONG
settled solid
WEAK
fixed immobile stable stationary unmovable
ADJECTIVE
movable
Synonyms
STRONG
ambulatory mobile portable
WEAK
adaptable adjustable conveyable deployable detachable in parts liftable loose moving not fastened not fixed on wheels portative removable separable shiftable transferable turnable unattached unfastened unstationary unsteady
Antonyms
WEAK
fixed immovable permanent unmovable untransportable
ADJECTIVE
moving
Synonyms
STRONGEST
changing shifting
STRONG
advancing climbing evolving flying going jumping progressing roaming roving running traversing walking
WEAK
movable nomadic portable unfixed unstable unsteadfast unsteady
Antonyms
WEAK
fixed immobile permanent stationary unmoving
ADJECTIVE
transportable
Synonyms
WEAK
adaptable ambulatory changeable fluid free itinerant liquid locomotive loose migrant migratory motorized movable moving mutable nomadic peripatetic portable roaming roving traveling unsettled unstable unstationary unsteadfast unsteady versatile wandering

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

These receptors help motile bacteria detect nutrients that are especially valuable for growth.

From Science Daily • Feb. 8, 2026

Their work focused on Clostridia, a group of motile bacteria found in large numbers in the human gut that are known to support gut health.

From Science Daily • Feb. 8, 2026

We found that men who performed fewer mate guarding behaviors produced higher quality ejaculates, having a greater concentration of sperm, a higher percentage of motile sperm and sperm that swam faster and less erratically.

From Salon • Jun. 19, 2022

The bank guarantees a vial will have 10 million or 15 million total motile sperm.

From New York Times • Jan. 8, 2021

But there is something else about words that gives them the look and feel of living motile beings with minds of their own.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.