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

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
Members of the Wampanoag were not formally invited as a gesture of good grace. Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 3 Nov. 2025 The critical test is whether the trade imbalance is reset, and that will take a lot more than a few small gestures of goodwill. Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
Nevarez declared, gesturing with her mittened hands. Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 19 Oct. 2025 Fashion in a way is the same thing [gesturing toward a nearby sweater]. Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
Noun
  • Trade discussions dominated those meetings, but there were signs of growing tensions over Beijing’s surging conventional and nuclear arsenal.
    Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
  • However, unlike last season, there was no sign to those within the Capitals that their captain was feeling the pressure of scoring another historic goal.
    Sean Gentille, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • With the Dolphins having a mini bye week courtesy of playing on Thursday, McDaniel’s status — along with perhaps Dolphins general manager Chris Grier — will be under a spotlight.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Elsewhere, the e-cargo is built around aluminum front and rear frame components, rolls on 20-inch wheels wearing Scwhalbe rubber, and comes to a halt courtesy of Tektro quad-piston hydraulic brakes rocking 180-mm discs.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And by the time Love motioned for Doubs to line up outside running back Emanuel Wilson instead of inside him on the right side of the formation, there were two seconds left.
    Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Leggett appeared upset and motioned his hands, the complaint says.
    Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The victories are seen by many analysts and political figures as a signal that Democrats have regained momentum after losses in the 2024 election cycle—while some Republican voices warn of growing disconnection from core voters.
    Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • His remarks come as China sends new signals on its crypto ambitions.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Charlotte is not faring much better, immediately picking up on her outsider status in this lily-white town, and the way her new neighbors offer only bare-minimum politeness.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Altman wasn't joking about the price of politeness.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Like Swift does in the video, Kelce closed his hands into fists and waved his arms up and down in celebration as the singer excitedly cheered him on from a luxury box in the upper level of the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The Toronto Blue Jays waved him to first base four times and walked him once unintentionally in the final nine innings of a record-tying 18-inning game the Dodgers won.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Trump’s quiet posture in Virginia is not new.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Besides promoting pain-free movement, building your back muscles strengthens the supporting muscles that aid in posture and stability.
    Leoni Jesner, Health, 1 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Kanto practitioners believe that women cannot participate because, according to Japan's Shinto religion, women's blood from menstruation and childbirth is considered impure for the purpose of religious rituals.
    Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
  • That same appreciation for craftsmanship extends to her red-carpet ritual.
    Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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