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

For the most part, however, Nazi strutting belongs to the glory days of white rock and roll, alongside the decorative use of the Confederate flag and other gestures of reactionary rebellion. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Nov. 2026 Lightweight machine-learning models then help recognise gestures and interpret the user’s input. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 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. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for gesture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture

Noun

Three broadcasters also received security threats, in a possible sign the menace was spreading beyond the skies.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
But with Great America’s latest corporate owner, Six Flags, struggling financially after its merger with Cedar Fair, there have been clear signs that the park probably was going to close sooner rather than later.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of sign

Noun

Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio read by Jake Reiner, from the audiobook WHO KILLED JFK?

— Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2026
Photo courtesy of Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters Furkids is seeking donations through its Georgia Gives fundraising page to support its Furkids to the Rescue Fund, which helps the organization respond when large groups of animals need rescue.

— CBS News, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of courtesy

Verb

With eight seconds left in the first half, Willis put the Dolphins up 10, throwing a 1-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Malik Washington, who ran an out pattern in the end zone after motioning to the slot.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
The former Cowboys star motioned to the drivers of the vehicles to tell them to slow down, and that’s when the dispute began.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of motion

Noun

Such systems could one day monitor signals such as heart or muscle activity while providing an additional layer of protection against bacterial growth.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
Rapt throngs were materializing out of nowhere, summoned by signals that had circled the planet.

— Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of signal

Verb

But the Englishwoman was trembling, and there were two women standing by a docked boat, waving toward the restaurant, the air pierced by their screams.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2026
Children and their parents were waving flags in the streets celebrating the joyous news.

— William Lambers, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of wave

Noun

The View From the white house Far more crucially, the White House’s public posture on the debacle indicates that Trump is not particularly concerned about the fallout, let alone Lutnick’s role in it.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 13 Nov. 2026
The Success model Success Academy has a reputation for strictness – for good or bad, there is emphasis on each student’s posture, attentiveness and dress in a way there is not at traditional public schools.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of posture

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 14 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of gesture

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on gesture

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

boilerplate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes