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
The Pentagon is planning to put its military oversight of Greenland under U.S. Northern Command, according to a report, a largely symbolic gesture that comes as President Donald Trump continues to press for the world's largest island to break from Denmark.
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Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 5 June 2025
The closure of the pope’s residence is a symbolic gesture that historically served to prevent looting of the pope’s residence.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025
And while the Arab Gulf states have pursued rapprochement in recent years with Iran, and are calling for de-escalation, that is largely a symbolic gesture.
—Lina Khatib, Time, 19 June 2025
To Wu, their support of Trump signals a symbolic gesture: a longing for change.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic gesture
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Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 5 June 2025
The closure of the pope’s residence is a symbolic gesture that historically served to prevent looting of the pope’s residence.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025
And while the Arab Gulf states have pursued rapprochement in recent years with Iran, and are calling for de-escalation, that is largely a symbolic gesture.
—Lina Khatib, Time, 19 June 2025
To Wu, their support of Trump signals a symbolic gesture: a longing for change.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 12 May 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 22 Jul. 2025.
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