signal 1 of 3

noun

ˈsig-nᵊl How to pronounce signal (audio)
Definition of signalnext
1
as in flag
an object intended to give public notice or warning stop signs are signals for vehicles to come to a full stop—not suggestions for slowing down, as some drivers seem to think

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in gesture
a movement of the body or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea or feeling quietly waiting for the signal to advance

Synonyms & Similar Words

signal

2 of 3

verb

as in to motion
to direct or notify by a movement or gesture signaled the oncoming traffic to stop while the wrecked car was being towed away

Synonyms & Similar Words

signal

3 of 3

adjective

as in outstanding
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement the Louisiana Purchase is cited by many historians as one of the most signal events in American history

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 signal
Noun
The Orlan-10 can carry payloads such as a module for spoofing signals from GPS and other global navigation satellite systems, along with a communications network monitoring module and various optical and thermal sensors. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026 Instead of carrying electrical signals, these optical connections transfer light between photonic components, potentially making future electronic-photonic packages easier to assemble and manufacture. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026
Verb
While the slate of laws was passed, several lawmakers have signaled that more bills will be introduced on the topic in the next session, which starts in January 2027. — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 4 July 2026 When the final whistle blew, signalling Colombia’s 1-0 victory, the place erupted into cheers. — Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for signal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signal
  1. flag
  2. gesture
  3. motion
  4. outstanding
  5. sign
  6. wave
  7. distinguished
  8. prestigious
Noun
  • Anders Røberg-Larsen, mayor of Grorud, a district in Oslo, Norway, carried a Norwegian flag over the crowd.
    — Delia Rose Sauer, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
  • Israeli tanks maneuver around new military posts marked by towering Israeli flags within eyesight of Palestinians in al-Shujaiya.
    — Aya Batrawy, NPR, 10 July 2026
Definition of flag
Noun
  • Duggan Borges gestures around the studio, that thump still coming through the ceiling.
    — Laura Snapes, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026
  • By evening, steady gestures can replace drama, and simple follow-through helps rebuild trust.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026
Definition of gesture
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
Adjective
  • Allen scored the Emmy nomination for outstanding guest actress in a drama series for her role as Roxie Hamler, a terminally ill cancer patient who arrives at the emergency room after breaking her leg and suffering from seizures.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
  • The nominees for the 78th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were unveiled Wednesday, with Hollywood honoring a slew of new shows and setting up what’s expected to be a battle among two legends in the race for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series.
    — Dan Heching, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
Definition of outstanding
Noun
  • Indirect talks concluded last week without any sign of meaningful progress toward a lasting peace agreement.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 7 July 2026
  • Neptune goes retrograde in your sign today, and false confidence starts to dissipate!
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of sign
Verb
  • If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 July 2026
  • The audience responded with even more energy, waving their cellphones and lighters in the air.
    — Rob Kenner, VIBE.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of wave
Adjective
  • To mark the occasion of America’s centennial, the people of Taunton, Massachusetts, invited James Russell Lowell—distinguished poet, founding editor of The Atlantic—to compose and read an ode for the Fourth of July.
    — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026
  • Tom Tugendhat, a Conservative, is a member of the British Parliament and a distinguished fellow at the Hudson Institute.
    — Tom Tugendhat, Washington Post, 2 July 2026
Definition of distinguished
Adjective
  • It was published by the prestigious Paris publishing house Gallimard in 1946, but sold poorly and received no reviews.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 July 2026
  • The goal of the aid pledges is to persuade middle-class families that a prestigious private university can be affordable.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Definition of prestigious

Browse Nearby Words

sign
signal
signaled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Signal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signal. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on signal

Nglish: Translation of signal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about signal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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 (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

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’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All