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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gesture
Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
One of the prettiest moment’s in the play is when Liz offers to buy a round of drinks for her fellow passengers, a simple gesture that speaks to a bigger metaphor.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
Evan Bush, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
Damas mistakenly believed his son had called the police on him, became angry, and gestured as if to hit him but never made physical contact, Nelson said.
—Armando Garcia, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Noun
Invite connection by allowing small gestures to nourish trust.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
One of the prettiest moment’s in the play is when Liz offers to buy a round of drinks for her fellow passengers, a simple gesture that speaks to a bigger metaphor.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
Wiseman gestured with his hands, making a heart shape and pointing to a bracelet around his wrist.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026
Damas mistakenly believed his son had called the police on him, became angry, and gestured as if to hit him but never made physical contact, Nelson said.
—Armando Garcia, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
Noun
-
Just getting to this point, where competing in meaningful games on national television is the norm, is a sign of the culture shift within the Charlotte Hornets.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
As the temperamental Moon enters your sign, you’re bolstered to stand up and state your needs without apology.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The band's courtesy visit was a pleasant break for Japan's first female leader, known for her long working hours and now struggling with strained diplomatic ties with China, the fallouts from the war in the Middle East as well as rising prices at home.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The band’s courtesy visit was a pleasant break for Japan’s first female leader, known for her long working hours and now struggling with strained diplomatic ties with China, the fallouts from the war in the Middle East as well as rising prices at home.—
Mari Yamaguchi,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Then, when pressed if he's officially booked or not, the actor motioned that his lips are sealed.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The federal government intensified efforts to expand family detention indefinitely by motioning to terminate a cornerstone policy ensuring the protection of immigrant children in federal custody.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Amid a steady cadence of conflicting signals on that front in the first few months of 2026, one of the biggest drumbeats was a report released in early March by the AI giant Anthropic.—
Matthew Heimer,
Fortune,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The crew talked to Artemis II science officer Kelsey Young throughout the entire flyby, barring a 40-minute period during which the spacecraft was behind the moon and out of reach of radio signal.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Friendly or the blank politeness of impartiality?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
-
His father was William Shawn, editor for 35 years of The New Yorker, known for his own mix of politeness and steel.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
People waved Hungarian flags and erupted in patriotic chants.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Peter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza party, waves the Hungarian flag following the announcement of partial results of the parliamentary election in Budapest on Sunday.—
Patrick Smith,
NBC news,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Lifestyle changes — such as maintaining a healthy weight, improving posture and monitoring long-term medication use — may help to manage or reduce the condition, experts say.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Triggers can be smells, sounds, places, postures or tones of voice.—
Dr. Andrew Garner,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Celebrating love is universal, but the exact rites and rituals vary.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
11 Apr. 2026
-
For many, the day is less a one-time outing and more a ritual.—
Michael Howes,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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