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
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gesture
Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
This, plus a FaceTime call, of course, is a simple yet thoughtful gesture any mom would appreciate.
—Brie Schwartz, Glamour, 22 Apr. 2025
Ellen O'Connell Whittet, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025
Myanmar’s military chief Min Aung Hlaing gestures as earthquake survivors gather in the compound of a hospital in Naypyidaw on March 28, 2025, after an earthquake in central Myanmar.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Noun
Customizable touch gestures in the Soundcore app give you quick access to volume, playback, or voice assistants, so the buds mold to your habits instead of the other way around.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
This, plus a FaceTime call, of course, is a simple yet thoughtful gesture any mom would appreciate.
—Brie Schwartz, Glamour, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
The new Trump Administration, which has gestured at fetal personhood, gives Jo more of a sense of urgency.
—Ellen O'Connell Whittet, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025
Myanmar’s military chief Min Aung Hlaing gestures as earthquake survivors gather in the compound of a hospital in Naypyidaw on March 28, 2025, after an earthquake in central Myanmar.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
Noun
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And where the signs of new beginnings are evident everywhere.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
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Dark Cherry Getty Images Getty Images Cherry cola hair has been on the come-up since fall 2023, and the trend—or some version of dark cherry or burgundy hair—shows no signs of slowing down in 2025.—
Avery Stone,
Allure,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Derrick White’s layup with 2:31 remaining in the fourth quarter tied the game at 91-91, but the decisive moments came courtesy of Franz Wagner, who answered with his own layup and another basket either side of a crucial miss by Tatum.—
Jamie Barton,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2025
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He's transformed, with a buzz cut, neatly shaven beard and a tan (courtesy of nearly two weeks in the Miami sun).—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Since the case was moved to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Clifton and the city have motioned to dismiss Pinyan’s lawsuit, records show.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2025
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Meta motioned to end the case last April, but Boasberg denied it, ruling in November that the company must face trial.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This is what happens when the federal government sends a signal that people who have lawfully been granted money by the government are actually scammers and fraudsters.—
Sharon Lerner,
ProPublica,
22 Apr. 2025
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Stat! Hot flashes are caused by special chemical messengers in the brain that send signals to blood vessels to flush the skin, causing sweating.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Counter-protesters posted up on street corners outside the college campus, waving pro-Trump flags and gathering signatures for the latest effort to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom from office.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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Sallas and his team cater to both beginner and intermediate riders, educating on everything from surf etiquette and wave knowledge to performing more advanced maneuvers like cutbacks and snaps.—
Jen Murphy,
Outside Online,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Middle-range investors (ages 36 to 50 or so) People in this group also can afford to maintain a relatively aggressive investment posture focused largely around stocks, stock funds and the like.—
Russ Wiles,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
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By taking a less confrontational and militarist posture, however, China will give the West greater dilemmas to solve.—
RANA MITTER,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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From home births to birth centers, spiritual rituals to structural advocacy, their choices aren’t just personal, but collective.—
Stephanie Long,
Essence,
17 Apr. 2025
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According to a new WalletHub survey, many consumers are planning to skip some of the holiday's traditional rituals like dyeing eggs because of high prices.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Musk also has a history of doing weird gesticulations on stage.—
James Hibberd,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Sep. 2019
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Darius was also quite good but went a little too over the top with his gesticulations to come off sincere.—
Charlie Mason,
TVLine,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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