as in indicative
indicating something
his tendency to use weasel words is seen as a signifying character trait
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in meaning
to be of importance
never mind, as the color of the room doesn't signify in the least
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in denoting
to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind
the symbol failed to signify anything to me—until I realized that it was upside down
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in indicating
to serve as a sign or symptom of
the opening of the new mall signifies the city's overdue emergence from economic depression
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 signifying
Brent Lang, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
Other songwriters might opt to wring notes of sadness from the whole squad getting hitched, but this one is winking at the listener, signifying the end of his seclusion in Europe and the embrace of fans who haven’t had an audience with him in a long time.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
After the conquest, Spaniards brought thousands of Native Americans back to Spain, their faces branded with marks of the Spanish crown, their owner’s name, or terms signifying their status.
—Geraldo Cadava, New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2026
They are seated in a front row of the House chamber floor, signifying their significant and unique role in stewarding the Constitution.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Southern Indiana, including Bloomington, Terre Haute and Columbus are under a level 3 category, signifying an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 19 Feb. 2026
The 15-day festival commemorates the first new moon of the lunisolar calendar, signifying the arrival of spring.
—Ashley Opina, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
Or would there be a brass scale marking the 1849 beginning of the Gold Rush, or an antique gas pump signifying the 1956 development of interstate highways?
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026
In 2023, the IOC voted in favor of adding flag football as an official Olympic sport set to debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, signifying just how broad its reach has become.
—Maura Carey, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
Reviews have been mixed, with some critics embracing Gyllenhaal’s bold vision and others dismissing it as a whole lot of sound and fury, signifying zilch.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026
Other songwriters might opt to wring notes of sadness from the whole squad getting hitched, but this one is winking at the listener, signifying the end of his seclusion in Europe and the embrace of fans who haven’t had an audience with him in a long time.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
After the conquest, Spaniards brought thousands of Native Americans back to Spain, their faces branded with marks of the Spanish crown, their owner’s name, or terms signifying their status.
—Geraldo Cadava, New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2026
They are seated in a front row of the House chamber floor, signifying their significant and unique role in stewarding the Constitution.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Southern Indiana, including Bloomington, Terre Haute and Columbus are under a level 3 category, signifying an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 19 Feb. 2026
The 15-day festival commemorates the first new moon of the lunisolar calendar, signifying the arrival of spring.
—Ashley Opina, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
Or would there be a brass scale marking the 1849 beginning of the Gold Rush, or an antique gas pump signifying the 1956 development of interstate highways?
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026
In 2023, the IOC voted in favor of adding flag football as an official Olympic sport set to debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, signifying just how broad its reach has become.
—Maura Carey, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signifying
Adjective
-
Despite the groundhog’s predictions, Texas has already welcomed warmer weather along with the introduction of severe weather season — both indicative of the seasonal shift.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The sluggish performance was not indicative of two teams that came into the matchup on a roll.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The backstory Amanyara is a portmanteau of Aman, meaning ‘peace’ in Sanskrit, and Yara, meaning ‘place’ in the language of the Arawak people who once lived on Turks and Caicos.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Additional elective teachers and administrative support increase staffing costs, meaning the program requires higher enrollment to remain financially sustainable.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Without a letter denoting a political party next to their name on the ballot, independent candidates have historically gotten lost in the mix.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
On an easel, a map of the Middle East, with American flag pins denoting US military positions.—
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The complaint pointed to previous reporting from Fortune, which cited a Goldman Sachs projection from August 2025 indicating consumers had absorbed 22% of total tariffs costs, but were projected to bear 67% of those costs by October 2025 as more costs were passed down.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory detected the lava glowing inside the Halemaumau crater at the volcano's summit caldera through webcam images, indicating Kilauea had begun erupting.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Beyond the visuals, Tan’s actual caption struck a reflective tone that stood out from the usual social media fare.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2026
-
There are plenty of star actors who would rather enter the seventh circle of hell than do what Radcliffe is doing here with boundless enthusiasm and reflective of his career-long determination to challenge himself.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Heavy thickening products can backfire by weighing strands down and making hair appear flatter.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The question weighing over this year's critical midterm elections is whether the president's backing is a help or hindrance.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The firm estimates that US airlines alone could face around $24 billion in additional fuel costs, implying fares might need to rise by roughly 11% to fully offset the increase.—
Scott Campbell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Futures market pricing is implying almost no chance of a rate cut, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch gauge.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Psychologists, sociologists, and philosophers vary in their definitions of mattering, but at its core, mattering is the feeling that we are valued and have value to add to the world.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
-
When age stopped mattering During the bourbon boom that accelerated after 2012, demand exploded faster than distilleries could age whiskey.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Signifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signifying. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
