gesture 1 of 2

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
Reed Partridge, the government’s legislative auditor and the former interim ethics administrator, confirmed that the ethics commission was reviewing the claim, as well as a separate claim involving whether Lopez made lewd gestures during a public meeting. Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2025 This gesture of kindness does not end well. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
The judge gestured at Lindor to take a seat in one of the courtroom’s wooden pew benches. Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 29 Sep. 2025 Go ahead, Chase gestured at Ochocinco. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
Noun
  • As early as 2014, scientists had discovered signs of sea star wasting disease in at least twenty species across the Pacific coast.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025
  • To Be Nervous Almost everyone gets some sign of jitters before speaking, even seasoned pros.
    Nathan Green, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Check out a first look at Deadwyler’s character, courtesy of HBO, below.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The show also featured a number of musical performances courtesy of TWICE, Karol G, Madison Beer and Missy Elliott.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The officials talked about it and ruled that Goff didn't pause after motioning out from under center.
    Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Players on the field immediately motioned to the sideline for trainers and Warner’s right leg was in an aircast as he was carted off.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Currently, the young signal caller has 1,168 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • But by tamping down growth signals, the procedure can protect the macula, which is in the central retina.
    Liz Szabo, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Mathis quickly dropped the politeness and threw some jabs before expressing concern over Brown.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Usually, the question was couched in politeness, but my students (bless them) had not yet learned to be subtle.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Both goals were waved off immediately.
    Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Each loop of the driveway produced an impassable snowdrift in winter, but by then Carol and Mike were on the coast, watching waving kelp fronds from their living room.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • My posture is better and my back doesn’t hurt as much.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The researchers noted that torsional loading is not as strongly associated with injury risk as vertical loading, but future work may explore whether improved stroller design or posture cues could mitigate those twisting forces.
    Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • My annual ritual of waiting for delicata squash’s arrival is a reminder to embrace the rhythms of nature and the fleeting beauty of certain culinary moments.
    Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Other rituals include saying a prayer with his team and lighting incense.
    Akili King, Essence, 13 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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