gesture 1 of 2

1
as in sign
a movement of the body or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea or feeling a teenager who often shrugs her shoulders in a gesture of indifference

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2

gesture

2 of 2

verb

as in to motion
to direct or notify by a movement or gesture the police officer gestured me to the side of the road to tell me my headlight was out

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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 gesture
Noun
Yes, the gesture is partially about good customer service, but that’s not all. Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025 Hamm visited Nichols during an earlier stage of his recovery, when Nichols was able to respond to yes-or-no questions using hand gestures. Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
He could be seen excitedly running down the Philly sideline while gesturing to his groin. Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025 On his way to the blue medical tent, Bosa looked at the crowd and gestured with a resounding thumbs down. Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
Noun
  • The kids associate helicopters with life flights to the local hospital, a sign that someone has been seriously injured, Cornelison said.
    John Wisely, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Eddie Howe will hope Newcastle’s 4-0 thumping of USG is the first sign of their new-look front line gelling, with Nick Woltemade, Anthony Gordon (two penalties) and Harvey Barnes all on target.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Even more detailed views came courtesy of astrophotographer Dan Bartlett, who imaged the comet over multiple nights to reveal how the complex structure of its ever-shifting tail evolved over time from his backyard in June Lake, California, over recent weeks.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • One was courtesy of shortstop Trevor Story, and the other was via first baseman Nathaniel Lowe.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • During the 2022 incident, an unknown person motioned toward Newton to arrest Mitchell for trespassing.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The second man, wearing blue rubber medical gloves, later did the same and motioned for help.
    Peter D'Abrosca , Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Layoffs can occur for many reasons; while they can be viewed as a signal about how companies view economic headwinds, the reasons may also be more localized to individual companies amid restructuring or plans to maximize profits.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The left and right side will alternate red and green signals, allowing one vehicle at a tie to merge onto the freeway.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The clearest firebrand of the group is Suzanne (Mia Barron), whose patronizing politeness will eventually give way to rage once her views are challenged.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
  • The poster themselves shared their belief in the power of politeness.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Many springs feature a visible boil at the water surface above the spring vent, crystal clear water, submerged grasses waving in the current, and a range of fish, turtles, snails and other aquatic animals hiding in the grasses.
    Christopher F. Meindl, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Students waved pompoms also in the school’s signature black and red as Wilson jumped for joy.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • What's Next Chinese research ship operations in neighboring maritime zones are likely to remain a source of controversy as the country continues to strengthen its posture in the region.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • In the studio, niche interests are exchanged for conformity and collective attention to breath and postures—at least on the surface.
    Calin Van Paris, Outside, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Forced to participate in increasingly macabre rituals and tests, Giacomo is consumed by the sinister — as apparitions, ghosts and deadly rumors start to accumulate.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The line includes scent beads and tumble dryer sheets, described as transforming the act of doing laundry into a sensory ritual.
    Essence, Essence, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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