gesture 1 of 2

Definition of gesturenext
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
Instead, the network is a literal series of trains, waystations, and safe houses — a magical realist gesture from Whitehead’s book that Jenkins brings to striking life here. Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026 The strained awkwardness of Adelina and Alban’s gestures of generosity underscore the class disparity between the city dwellers and their relatives. Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
McEntire shrieks between laughs, gesturing to the photographer. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026 Hernandez said, gesturing toward a jungle gym near Park View Street. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
Noun
  • But absent any concerning signs that the labor market is falling a cliff, the Fed will also likely turn to inflation data for the cue on when to lower rates again.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Neither was there an army ready to defend Rapa Nui—crowds wielding spears and clubs were not uncommon in the Pacific—or any sign of violence.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • All of its radiance-granting powers are effectively put towards a scent that comes alive with glowy warmth, courtesy of the mandarin, magnolia, coconut, sandalwood, and other ingredients found within.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Set inside a 17th-century former noble residence, the building has been a hotel since 1811—a grand, if slightly dusty, fixture of the Roman hospitality circuit—before having the cobwebs blown off courtesy of a four-year renovation overseen by the French-Mexican architect and designer Hugo Toro.
    Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • With the game well out of reach and 10 seconds to play, Tre White dunked — despite Self motioning from the sideline to dribble it out.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 25 Jan. 2026
  • As Kupp motioned to the other side of the formation, corner Josh Wallace followed him all the way across, which gave Darnold a major man tell.
    Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The Dutch company’s bookings are one signal of chipmakers’ confidence in future AI demand.
    Sarah Jacob, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
  • That is where the conference's technology signals matter.
    Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This superficial politeness hinders effective decision-making, erodes accountability, and leaves teams ill-equipped for pressure.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
  • There’s a relief that comes with this territory for City, shaking off footballing politeness and slipping into those comfy only-for-home joggers.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Supporters waved Taiwanese flags and held banners backing the submarine program.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
  • In that one, police said the thieves waved guns and fired four rounds at the owner.
    Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • But their deployment, marauding the streets of American communities, operating with military posture and lethal force, supersedes that mission and strikes at the heart of constitutional governance.
    Larry Pino, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
  • At the same time, its electronic warfare suite readies missiles capable of both active and passive jamming, signalling a transition from monitoring to full electronic countermeasure posture as the situation develops around the vessel, the South China Morning Post reported.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • By the time Melania arrives at the Inaugural festivities, the film has given itself over to a series of rituals (the candlelight dinner, the Inaugural itself, the luncheon, the Starlight Ball), which feels weirdly fitting since the filmmaking itself is so ritualized.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Without that ritual the stress of the sale lingers in your system.
    Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

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