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

Her work is grounded in long-term observation, intimacy and a sensitivity to humor, gesture, atmosphere and the emotional weight of everyday life. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 And when the clouds clear, people moonwalk through social-justice gestures. — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Verb

As the cardboard burned, Yachua Mauricio Flores, 23, poured a liquid onto the flames, causing the fire to grow as Vega stood nearby and gestured toward the blaze, according to prosecutors. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026 Usher then gestured for the fan to be removed from the stage. — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for gesture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture

Noun

Private equity’s growing interest in sports teams is another sign of the buying boom, said Irwin Kirshner, the head of the sports law group at the law firm Herrick Feinstein.

— Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
In hindsight, that was a sign of having lived in the bubble of NYC cinephile culture for 20 years by that time.

— José Salazar, IndieWire, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of sign

Noun

Arsenal won 1-0 at Manchester United courtesy of a set piece, and Liverpool looked far too open in a 4-2 win over Bournemouth, for whom Antoine Semenyo starred.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Jumping on Reds starter Chase Burns, the Giants scored two runs in the first and three more in the second, courtesy of a three-run bomb from Rafael Devers to the deepest part of Oracle Park, in a 5-0 win to open a seven-game homestand.

— Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of courtesy

Noun

These tankers may be turning off their tracking signals to avoid detection, experts told CNN.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
The company announced in 2025 that interactions with its generative AI features could become signals for the content and ads people see across Meta products.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of signal

Noun

She’s used to chief stews who yell and is thrown off by Aesha’s politeness.

— Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Southworth started focusing more specifically on civility, decency, and politeness after COVID, when many employees were fleeing the hospitality industry—all while the membership at their clubs was doubling.

— Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026

Definition of politeness

Verb

Another shows someone climbing into a helicopter, stepping from a roof terrace, onto the landing gear and then into the cockpit, after appearing to take off their t-shirt to wave and attract the aircraft’s attention.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Dance, stretch, sway, walk, garden, or wave your arms around your living room.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of wave

Noun

Deflecting attacks steadily depletes a posture meter underneath the enemy's health bar.

— Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 2026
Through a treatment plan that included changing his gaming posture and intensive physical therapy, Lee was able to return to play just a month later.

— Erica D. Henn, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of posture

Noun

This goes beyond just topical products to include massage tools, wellness rituals and detoxifying treatments.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
Shankara advises that worshipping gods with names and stories through devotional rituals and sacred images (murtis) is an acceptable step for some people on the path toward a more philosophical understanding of an all-pervasive ultimate reality.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of ritual

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 30 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of gesture

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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