SIGNAL Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

signal 1 of 3

noun

ˈsig-nᵊl

Definition of signal

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

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

That means investors will need to practice patience, despite the market signals screaming at them to build AI infrastructure as quickly as possible. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026 When an architecture retrains, high-weight structural signals persist. — Joseph Byrum, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Verb

And because water and most other liquids can’t persist on a planet’s surface without an insulating blanket of air, seeing such a glint could signal the presence of an atmosphere as well. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026 Amylin helps signal fullness, suppress appetite and slow the movement of food through the stomach, similar to what GLP-1 does. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for signal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for signal

Noun

Many of the details emerged in a rush shortly after the passengers, most of them Israeli, landed back home to cheers and waving flags.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
The program also provides money for nonlethal equipment to deter wolves, such as electric fences with bright flags.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of flag

Verb

An elderly woman in a proper ink-black dress and modest, sensible heels motioned us over and led us down the aisle, inviting us to sit in the pair of waiting chairs just opposite the pulpit.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
Ripa then motioned to the other side, indicating that the hotel placed the tissue holder to the left of the toilet.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of motion

Adjective

Conrad has done an outstanding job of pulling together a team of local workers at all levels of the business.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Livingston is now an outstanding player on Telfair County’s girls basketball team, which went 20-8 last season.

— Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of outstanding

Verb

Many of the details emerged in a rush shortly after the passengers, most of them Israeli, landed back home to cheers and waving flags.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Max Goldbart here taking you through a week in which one of the biggest entertainment deals of this century was waved through.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of wave

Adjective

Abdel El Manira, a distinguished professor at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and a member of the Nobel committee, said at the prize announcement that optogenetics' impacts extend beyond our understanding of the healthy brain.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2026
Among his distinguished awards are the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2012 and an Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2017 by the French Ministry of Culture.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of distinguished

Adjective

Coming from the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company, Patrick has the most mellifluous tones, regal and elegant.

— Kyle Maclachlan, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
The Cuban National Ballet, founded in the 1940s by revered ballerina Alicia Alonso and her husband Fernando Alonso, is considered one of the world’s most prestigious companies.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of prestigious

Browse Nearby Words

sign

signal

signaled

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Signal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signal. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of signal

noun

verb

adjective

Example Sentences

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