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

The gesture reshaped how Mittleman’s team thought about their problem. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 After all, the look thrives on the lengths falling loosely and moving with every gesture. — Lucy Binder, Glamour, 30 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

The enhanced scrutiny on Underwood, as Joe Rexrode writes, is an unfortunate sign of the times.

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The Bruins face a long and challenging season, but the Chesney Train won Game 1 and shows no signs of slowing down.

— Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of sign

Noun

Braking performance comes courtesy of Gale Speed calipers, a Kustom Tech master cylinder, and custom in-house caliper brackets.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
While both the primary and secondary suites live on the main level, an ascending staircase leads you up to a dedicated workspace and additional sleeping accommodations courtesy of a sleeper sofa.

— Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of courtesy

Verb

One person told police that Rodriguez was standing on the sidewalk outside the church when Rodriguez motioned for the person to fight him – after which Rodriguez approached and started swinging fists in his direction, according to court records.

— Harry Harris, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
Councilor Jennifer Sigette motioned to keep the city meeting open so everyone would have a chance to comment, to no avail.

— Gabriel Brito, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of motion

Noun

Everton’s departure from gorgeous, ramshackle Goodison Park — their home since 1892 — was another signal of new beginnings.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
However, bumps and microscopic unevenness alter the probe’s touch, creating false signals that look like moving ions.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of signal

Noun

The dynamic between the parents and the perpetrators steadily escalates from politeness to hostility to eventual torture, all while maintaining a frustrating attitude of inevitability and justification toward the former’s fate.

— Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026
She’s used to chief stews who yell and is thrown off by Aesha’s politeness.

— Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of politeness

Verb

Beyoncé, who wore a cozy hoodie for the outing, also blew kisses to the crowd and waved to fans as Jay-Z sang to her.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
Fans are also shown waving the flag of the Philippines, an overhead shot of Eala’s black Chanel handbag and the WTA player posing in distressed jeans and a tangerine-colored open-back top.

— Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of wave

Noun

Just take a couple of deep breaths for 60 seconds, make sure your exhale is longer than your inhale, and see how your posture and feelings shift toward a calmer state.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026
In an awful instant, two boys lose their mother and the movie loses any kind of principled posture.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of posture

Noun

Hossain and her collaborators have conjured an internalized hellscape marked by sensual photography, gnarly cyst makeup, and suffocating matrimonial rituals involving turmeric and milk — all redolent with upper-class heteronormative rot.

— Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
The science on salt stomping is thin, but the science on consistent, phone-free wind-down rituals is not.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of ritual

Browse Nearby Words

gestural

gesture

gestured

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of gesture

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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