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
Relevance
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
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
PC Magazine, 8 Nov. 2025
And in the intimate pictures taken by Sinna Nasseri from Election Day, Duwaji is making her own gesture, a symbolic nod to her approach as a political spouse.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
James Somers, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
As the moon rose, Mugibelo gestured out to the salt pans behind us.
—AFAR Media, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Noun
New accessibility options include the ability to control the mouse with face gestures and to configure the keyboard to control the mouse and minimize unintentional typing.
—PC Magazine, 8 Nov. 2025
And in the intimate pictures taken by Sinna Nasseri from Election Day, Duwaji is making her own gesture, a symbolic nod to her approach as a political spouse.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
In 1995, when the book was published, Hofstadter and his research group could only gesture at what the answer might be.
—James Somers, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
As the moon rose, Mugibelo gestured out to the salt pans behind us.
—AFAR Media, 30 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
-
Photograph courtesy Oscilloscope Laboratories 3.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
-
In between his different projects, Emms took time to talk to THR about The Choral, being part of the Star Wars universe, courtesy of Andor, and what is next for him.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 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
-
During a test run as the Pioneer transitioned from running on its hull to lifting four feet above the water on its slender foils, several boats coming the other way began to point and wave at us.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
-
At the end of the ad, an AI Santa Claus is seen waving with a bottle of the soft drink in his right hand as the animals wave back and cheer.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
This was a decisive turn away from Hasina’s India-first posture and toward closer alignment with Beijing.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
-
The union reports that Wing Star Shoes’ management has continued to take a hostile posture against freedom of association by approaching or pressuring workers to resign from CATU membership.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
For over 50 years, it’s been the morning soundtrack of childhood, making its bright colors, belly laughs and sing-along tunes a cozy ritual for many.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
-
What begins as a ritual to have their deepest wishes granted soon twists into a waking nightmare of survival and betrayal.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share