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
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gesture
Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2025
These gestures, however, have not always been effective.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
Paige Williams, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Tung said, gesturing a heart with her hands that Swift did in their direction on stage at the time.
—Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Noun
That’s when Talbot drove his vehicle at about 15 miles per hour and struck the man while making an obscene gesture, according to court documents.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2025
These gestures, however, have not always been effective.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
Other college football coaches often gesture at this hierarchy; Swinney conveys it with an evangelist’s zeal.
—Paige Williams, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Tung said, gesturing a heart with her hands that Swift did in their direction on stage at the time.
—Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
Noun
-
According to the Mayo Clinic, the surgery involves cutting away thin layers of the skin until there are no signs of cancer.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
There are early signs that Alonso will bring the best out of him.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Elizabeth Olsen opted for a dress courtesy of Rodarte’s fall 2022 ready-to-wear collection.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
5 Sep. 2025
-
That data comes courtesy of payroll processor ADP and marks a steep slowdown from July’s upwardly revised 106,000, underscoring how fragile employment momentum has become halfway through 2025.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After the complaint was filed, a department named in the filing — the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office — motioned for Hartig to recuse herself from its cases.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
30 Aug. 2025
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Offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh also can motion Loya around to create leverage and access.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
These aren’t transactional breadcrumbs—they’re predictive signals that illuminate what’s next.—
Gary Drenik,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The fibers can also carry more than 1,000 times the power of conventional versions and transmit signals across a broader range of wavelengths.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The poster themselves shared their belief in the power of politeness.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
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While the wife’s new friendship may have started innocently, the man felt compelled to put his family’s comfort above politeness.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Rumble, the drum ensemble that keeps Chiefs fans moving at the games, beat out their rhythms while flag bearers waved giant Chiefs flags at the traffic passing the park.—
Chris Ochsner,
Kansas City Star,
5 Sep. 2025
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That meant ladies could smile and wave with their makeup intact and gentlemen were comfortable in their suit jackets.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Compliance becomes a visible part of commercial posture, not a back-office task.—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Crucially, Brazil’s foreign policy has consistently refrained from adopting an explicitly anti-American or anti-Western posture.—
HUSSEIN KALOUT,
Foreign Affairs,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Another aspect that isn’t terribly sensible is the convertible top, which entails a bit of a ritual to erect, along with side curtains that more or less enclose occupants when inclement weather prevails.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
29 Aug. 2025
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Most children returned to school after Labor Day, the ritual marking the end of summer and the beginning of the academic year.—
Jeanne Allen,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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