body language

Definition of body languagenext
as in attitude
movements or positions of the body that express a person's thoughts or feelings We could tell from his body language that he was nervous.

Related Words

Relevance

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 body language But the consensus seems to be that shot-stoppers should do their homework, while also balancing their research with their instincts on the day, picking up on any signs from the attacker’s body language that might sway them from the original plan. Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 July 2026 Peters crouched down and used a little body language to try to coax the ball fair. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026 Empathy Interpreting body language and reading between the lines to decipher what wasn’t explicitly communicated are skills that many people find are best performed by humans. Cathy Bussewitz, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026 The Spurs’ body language changed. C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for body language
Recent Examples of Synonyms for body language
Noun
  • The early Olympic movement reinforced those same attitudes by barring women from major track and field events altogether.
    Lindsey Darvin, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Agazero’s new take on the genre retains a similarly ambivalent attitude toward the dancefloor.
    Amanda Cavalcanti, Pitchfork, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • Your posture also plays an important role when sitting against a lumbar pillow.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 31 July 2026
  • Another possibility is that Russia sought to exploit a shift in Ukraine's defensive posture.
    Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Noun
  • The bill would take a harder stance on tampering, outline a procedure along with penalties.
    Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • In February, Sánchez penned an op-ed in The New York Times defending his stance on regulated migration.
    Miguel Macias, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Produced by Universal Global Television, The Five Star Weekend is centered on Hollis Shaw, a famed cook and best-selling author known for her delicious recipes, impeccable taste, and warm demeanor, who suffers a devastating loss.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Alvarez now views Burke’s demeanor at the Withered pop-up in a different light.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Body language.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/body%20language. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster