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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gesture
Jenny Hughes, Parents, 28 May 2026
While King posted a warm online tribute to Colbert on Instagram, insiders told Shuter that some staffers saw her gesture as an act of self-serving damage control.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
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
Noun
While there are many ways to support a new parent, one mother explains how a simple gesture changed her outlook and demeanor during the postpartum period.
—Jenny Hughes, Parents, 28 May 2026
While King posted a warm online tribute to Colbert on Instagram, insiders told Shuter that some staffers saw her gesture as an act of self-serving damage control.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 28 May 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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When talking to your peers, politeness is of paramount importance.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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It’s liberally dotted with the designer’s personal collection of art and antiques, but still manages to feel pared-back—as if a Scandinavian fairy came down and waved all the potential clutter away.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Towering buttes shoot out of waving prairie grasses.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
1 June 2026
Noun
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As Melissa Leber, MD, FACEP, associate professor of orthopedics and emergency medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, describes it, the Japanese towel roll method is a posture and body alignment exercise.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
31 May 2026
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Japan has recently taken steps to expand its defense posture, including lifting its ban on lethal arms exports and mulling changes to Article 9 of its constitution, which renounces war and the maintenance of armed forces.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
31 May 2026
Noun
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For rye fans, though, the hunt is part of the ritual.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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If one were looking for a sports league that most faithfully reflects the modern United States — its stratification, its rituals of self-justification, its remarkable talent for dressing inequality in the language of tradition — Major League Baseball would be hard to beat.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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