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
How could a symbolic gesture compete with geopolitical realities?
—
Jeremy Gilley, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
After the loss to Moura, Murphy addressed the crowd and left her gloves in the cage—a symbolic gesture that fighters often use to announce retirement.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Advertisement Though supporters have billed the measure as a symbolic gesture of budget-cutting resolve, the actual fiscal impact of the package is small.
—Nik Popli, Time, 15 July 2025
In a symbolic gesture marking the end of his papacy, the pope's Fisherman's Ring and lead seal will be ceremonially destroyed to prevent any unauthorized use.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic gesture
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Jeremy Gilley, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
After the loss to Moura, Murphy addressed the crowd and left her gloves in the cage—a symbolic gesture that fighters often use to announce retirement.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Advertisement Though supporters have billed the measure as a symbolic gesture of budget-cutting resolve, the actual fiscal impact of the package is small.
—Nik Popli, Time, 15 July 2025
In a symbolic gesture marking the end of his papacy, the pope's Fisherman's Ring and lead seal will be ceremonially destroyed to prevent any unauthorized use.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic gesture
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbolic%20gesture. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.
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