gesture 1 of 2

Definition of gesturenext
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
Still, the response to the subway entrance revealed just how much New Yorkers connected with the gesture. Nick Friedell, New York Times, 3 June 2026 When asked by a reporter about his gesture with the red thread after his release, Chen said it was meant to express condolences to those who died. ABC News, 3 June 2026
Verb
Still, after sticking Annie so deeply in the psychological trenches, gesturing to the light at the end of the tunnel is also welcome. Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 17 May 2026 This likely created new evolutionary pressure for specialized hand use during tasks such as carrying objects, manipulating tools, or gesturing. Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
Noun
  • These were signs the women could easily read as the air cooled and their hearts sped.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • The deal still needs sign-off from federal regulators.
    Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • The cowboy hats, the team’s rally caps courtesy of assistant coach Carlie Chaulsett-Utley, emerged in league.
    Dan Albano, Oc Register, 29 May 2026
  • Musk owns around 42% of the total equity, but Musk exerts 85% control courtesy of his overwhelming ownership of the B’s.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • The regular working-class crew heading home for the day filed onto her bus when a supervisor popped by the front door and motioned to two teen girls.
    Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
  • Gary Belaria said, motioning toward the parking lot.
    Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • Coconut oil and warm banana leaves are placed on your body; strips that turn brown signal energy blocks or imbalances.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • That’s partly because excessive sleep may not be the problem itself, experts said, but rather a signal of underlying health issues that could contribute to accelerated aging.
    Brian Mastroianni, Health, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • The goldendoodle’s shoulder tap felt almost human in its politeness, and the woman’s response — smiling, breaking off a piece and blowing on it — felt effortlessly warm.
    Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
  • When talking to your peers, politeness is of paramount importance.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Backstage, a handful of high-spirited elementary-age girls — known as Vista Horizon, a K-pop quintet from K-town — waved to them in awe and offered their congratulations.
    Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
  • On the second day of the competition, hundreds of high school students milled about in team gear as parents and mentors mingled in the stands, waving pompoms or holding banners to celebrate when student robot operators took to the field.
    P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • Other men have adopted a more defensive posture, claiming to overstate their height only because everyone else is doing it.
    Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 4 June 2026
  • But look at what Healey said just a few months ago to boost her anti-ICE and anti-Trump posture.
    Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • The Midwestern supper club ritual hasn’t changed, bringing guests together for long, unhurried evenings of dining and entertaining.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
  • The wave is one of a number of rituals that have become synonymous with Mexico’s footballing culture and will likely form a big part of the experience for the tens of thousands of overseas visitors expected to attend the 13 matches being played in Mexico.
    Michael Rios, CNN Money, 7 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

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