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
Not as a symbolic gesture, but as standard practice.
—
Wolfgang Oels, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026
But 21 minutes later, Brodeur switched his vote, a symbolic gesture that had no difference on his official vote or the final outcome of the bill.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
At the core of this discussion, according to Baker, is the view that transparency functions as a practical enabler of clearer decision-making and stronger organizational alignment, rather than a symbolic gesture.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 17 Jan. 2026
Unlike the below-ground oath of office, this would not be a symbolic gesture.
—Jay Walder, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for symbolic gesture
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Wolfgang Oels, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026
But 21 minutes later, Brodeur switched his vote, a symbolic gesture that had no difference on his official vote or the final outcome of the bill.
—Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
At the core of this discussion, according to Baker, is the view that transparency functions as a practical enabler of clearer decision-making and stronger organizational alignment, rather than a symbolic gesture.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 17 Jan. 2026
Unlike the below-ground oath of office, this would not be a symbolic gesture.
—Jay Walder, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
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 10 Mar. 2026.
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