Thesaurus results for GESTURE

gesture 1 of 2

noun

ˈjes-chər

Definition of gesture

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in courtesy

an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners sent a handwritten thank-you note as a gesture of his gratitude

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 gesture

Noun

Starting with looking in the mirror first — a great statement in its own right, a meaningful team-building gesture and a substantial demonstration to teammates to do the same. — Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026 These small analogue gestures bring us back into our bodies and into the present. — Francesca Perry, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026

Verb

The league on Monday suspended line judge Jeff Seeman for two games for swearing at Arizona's Trey McBride and referee Adrian Hill for one game for yelling and gesturing at Minnesota's Eric Wilson. — CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 But jumping off the field throughout the game was enforcing linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who led the team with 12 tackles against his former club, gesturing and yelling at their sidelines throughout. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gesture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture

Noun

Every year after Halloween, Spirit Halloween’s stores empty out and the signs come down.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
One particularly promising example is an MRI technique that identifies the central vein sign, a feature that can help physicians distinguish lesions associated with MS from abnormalities caused by other conditions.

— Bruce Bebo, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of sign

Noun

The score came courtesy of center back Casemiro, who tapped the ball to Suarez on the left side of the box before the Uruguayan knocked it into the top right corner.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
There are also opportunities to learn more about how hunting can provide food and help foster regional wildlife conservation courtesy of guest speakers.

— Heide Brandes, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of courtesy

Noun

Beyond that frequency, the optical signal can lose intensity and become less useful for reliable data transmission.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
Unifying early creative and planning phases with advanced analytics ensures downstream execution is driven by objective market signals rather than isolated guessing.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of signal

Verb

Before joining the postgame handshake line, Bidunga turned toward the KU student section in the south end zone, waved and blew a kiss goodbye to the same fans who had booed him during warmups, introductions and throughout the game.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
One notice was handed to Nasir Malik, a community activist in a New Delhi quarter called Mustafabad, who waved it around on a recent day.

— Diaa Hadid, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of wave

Noun

The Value of Cooking The act of cooking the food is also considered an important ritual during Dia de los Muertos as a way of calling in or inviting your ancestors to make the journey from the afterlife to join with family still living human life.

— Zayda Rivera, Parents, 29 Oct. 2026
Long used in pagan rituals and spell casting—typically placed on dedicated altars—candles are seen as the bridge between the physical and spiritual realms.

— Francesca Perry, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of ritual

Browse Nearby Words

gestural

gesture

gestured

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of gesture

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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