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

One of the Blue Jays' latest dugout celebrations appears to be a hand gesture without a clear origin. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 Jackson then allegedly drove over into another lane and swerved at the victim, while using an obscene hand gesture. — Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026

Verb

The launch tubes themselves don’t appear to be loaded, but the men carefully adjust the angle of the launcher, gesturing to each other with colored flags. — Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 24 June 2026 In winning an argument (while preserving the relationship), the way to be heard is not to yell louder and gesture bigger but to take a breath and make room for silence. — Joelle Jay, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gesture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture

Noun

This is the first sign of the kind of tomfoolery Luke has in store for the night.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 July 2026
The bright blue sign reading ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ outside the silver chain-link gate at Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport has been removed.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026

Definition of sign

Noun

And so is the explosion of island greenery at the end, courtesy of Te Fiti, who is really the earth mother.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 July 2026
All of it is courtesy of G&P Records, Local H’s in-house merch arm run by long-time friend and unofficial third member Gabe Rodriguez.

— Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 8 July 2026

Definition of courtesy

Verb

In security footage obtained by ABC 13, the officer, alleged to be Carrico, is seen motioning the woman to take a seat; the woman complies.

— Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Luz, the group’s search leader and spokesperson for the day, immediately motions with her hand for the group to drive forward.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 June 2026

Definition of motion

Noun

Instead of using a remote or control panel, the player moves into position and signals with a simple hand gesture for the ball, and the AI biometrics locate and pinpoint the player position.

— Shirl Leigh July 13, New Atlas, 13 July 2026
This asymmetric expression could rig up motor circuitry, such as an abundance of neurons with long, signal-carrying fibers, that leads to more involuntary movement on one side than the other.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 13 July 2026

Definition of signal

Noun

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
The board member who survives every conversation about them has been preserved not by respect but by politeness.

— Audrey Russo, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of politeness

Noun

After matches, Japanese fans once again stayed behind to collect trash from the stadium rows, continuing a practice that has become one of the most recognizable rituals in global sport.

— Julia Dhar, Time, 11 July 2026
For travelers, this shift requires participating in a rigorous environmental ritual that challenges the traditional hands-off approach to vacationing.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 11 July 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 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of gesture

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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