symbolic gesture
noun
: an act that has no purpose or effect other than to show support, respect, etc.
The president's visit was mainly a symbolic gesture.
Examples of symbolic gesture in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This past November, John made that symbolic gesture official and delivered the induction speech when Taupin was at last inducted into the Hall.
—
Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 30 Jan. 2024
Together, these observations suggested to the researchers that the fluttering qualifies as a symbolic gesture.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024
Several Missouri union groups called it a symbolic gesture.
—Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
This was, at the time, a symbolic gesture, which the film injects with a little too much suspense.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 Mar. 2024
Cinemas across the country will remain closed for one day on Feb. 5 in a symbolic gesture to protest against high government taxes.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Feb. 2024
This is not a symbolic gesture, but one with horrific consequences.
—Doris Bittar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2024
Israel funding The first action the House took after Johnson was sworn in as speaker was to pass a resolution affirming support for Israel, a symbolic gesture.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2023
At $35 million, this first grant to BAE is almost a symbolic gesture.
—Eva Dou, Washington Post, 12 Dec. 2023
Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 30 Jan. 2024
Together, these observations suggested to the researchers that the fluttering qualifies as a symbolic gesture.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024
Several Missouri union groups called it a symbolic gesture.
—Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
This was, at the time, a symbolic gesture, which the film injects with a little too much suspense.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 Mar. 2024
Cinemas across the country will remain closed for one day on Feb. 5 in a symbolic gesture to protest against high government taxes.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Feb. 2024
This is not a symbolic gesture, but one with horrific consequences.
—Doris Bittar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2024
Israel funding The first action the House took after Johnson was sworn in as speaker was to pass a resolution affirming support for Israel, a symbolic gesture.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2023
At $35 million, this first grant to BAE is almost a symbolic gesture.
—Eva Dou, Washington Post, 12 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'symbolic gesture.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near symbolic gesture
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbolic%20gesture. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
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