gesticulate

Definition of gesticulatenext
as in to gesture
to move your arms and hands especially when speaking in an angry or emotional way He was gesticulating wildly during his speech.

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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 gesticulate In preschool, he was given a wordless role as Farmer McGregor in a school production of Peter Rabbit and began hamming it up, counting the missing tomatoes and gesticulating at his nemesis rabbit. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026 DiCaprio, who was speaking to a fellow attendee off camera, can be seen gesticulating animatedly during the conversation, pointing his finger several times and waving his hand in a lively manner. Edward Segarra, USA Today, 13 Jan. 2026 An expressive Spanberger, at times gesticulating in a Tim Walz-like manner, bantered with Spanish-speaking supporters seated before her, eliciting slight chuckles and approving nods scattered around the eatery. Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025 But as Jared Goff gesticulated and sent receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in motion, Booker and fellow defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker jumped across the line, giving the Lions a free first down. Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for gesticulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesticulate
Verb
  • Some gestured at something like corporate protest; others blamed an unaffordable city.
    Nora DeLigter, Curbed, 6 Mar. 2026
  • His lyrics detail a process of active healing, gesturing at a contentedness that beds in as your 20 begin to wane.
    Liam Inscoe-Jones, Pitchfork, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • At the time, Krauss, the author of several popular books on science, donned his scuba gear and dove down to wave at Hawking through the submarine's window.
    Scott Neuman, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
  • As the match officials made their way off the pitch, Guardiola was planting a kiss on the cheek of his goalkeeper, James Trafford, and waving, almost dewy-eyed, towards the City fans in the most vertiginous parts of St James’ Park.
    Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Su Yu-hsuan scored the decisive goal in the 26th minute after Saki Matsunaga’s shot hit the crossbar, leaving Su to nod the rebound into an empty net for the team which won the last of its three Asian Cup titles in 1981.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Matos, Oliva and Bericoto made the most of their starting nods in Friday’s 6-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gesticulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesticulate. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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