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

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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

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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

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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

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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
When the neurotoxin stops suppressing nerve signals to those muscles, the lines return. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026 Nerve signals eventually resume, usually within three to four months, and the lines come back. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
But in recent months, the carrier has been downplaying the satellite connectivity, and even signaling it could use a different satellite provider. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026 When an oil producer changes its relationship with OPEC or signals a different output strategy, that matters because output moves freight cost, freight cost moves landed cost, and landed cost moves pricing, margin and inventory decisions. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 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
  • Four years ago, crowds filled the central square of this southern port city, draped in Ukrainian flags and hugging the troops who had ended months of Russian occupation.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
  • OpenAI therefore leaves individual training rewards unchanged when monitors flag concerning samples.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of flag
Noun
  • From the mid-2010s on, the pop-crossover gesture has become an exceedingly common trend in all flavors of indie.
    — Larry Fitzmaurice, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The gesture drew criticism from Ruby Farmer, a 68-year-old Detroit retiree.
    — Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of gesture
Verb
  • The former Cowboys star motioned to the drivers of the vehicles to tell them to slow down, and that’s when the dispute began.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Tight end John Bates lined up out wide to the far side, motioning to hurry up.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of motion
Adjective
  • All-inclusive meals made with organic produce grown in the garden are outstanding.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Customers can work with staff to address billing discrepancies and outstanding service requests.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of outstanding
Noun
  • Every year after Halloween, Spirit Halloween’s stores empty out and the signs come down.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • One particularly promising example is an MRI technique that identifies the central vein sign, a feature that can help physicians distinguish lesions associated with MS from abnormalities caused by other conditions.
    — Bruce Bebo, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of sign
Verb
  • In Rome, many waved communist and Palestinian flags, as well as signs against the Iran war.
    — Richard Engel, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Milwaukee fans in the crowd of 40,514, many waving yellow towels and some wearing cheeseheads, brought a Badger State feel to Tropicana Field.
    — Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of wave
Adjective
  • As previously reported, Cezary Skubiszewski was feted with the distinguished services to the Australian screen award, in recognition of his impressive body of work spanning more than 30 years.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Dan Lipinski is a former Democratic congressman from Illinois and a distinguished visiting fellow for the Center for Revitalizing American Institutions at the Hoover Institution.
    — Dan Lipinski, Baltimore Sun, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of distinguished
Adjective
  • Hales finally submitted the 250-page proof and three gigabytes of computer files to the prestigious journal Annals of Mathematics in 1998.
    — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The often funny clips come from Modi, a category-flouting gay Orthodox Jew and former Merrill Lynch trader who is now playing some of the country’s most prestigious venues.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of prestigious

Browse Nearby Words

sign
signal
signaled
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Cite this Entry

“Signal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signal. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about signal

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