gesture 1 of 2

Definition of gesturenext
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

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 architectural gestures are classic and direct — symmetry, height, proportion — while the materials and finish work do the heavy lifting. David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026 Throughout the series, Lennertz and Bowen were concerned with finding a musical language for the characters, and often tried to find corollaries in their instrumentation for the actors’ gestures and expressions. Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
Verb
Halverson gestured to a telephone behind him on his office desk. Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 28 May 2026 Many of today’s most prominent artists are focused on rendering vast, abstract, and often invisible systems perceptible—often by scaling them down to something more sensible while still gesturing toward their magnitude. Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
Noun
  • Authorities said there were no signs of a struggle in the home.
    Richard Ramos, CBS News, 17 June 2026
  • The surest sign of improving standards in Ghana and other African countries, Hughton thinks, will be when diaspora players born elsewhere in the world opt to follow their roots.
    Simon Hughes, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • Born in New York to Nigerian parents, Folarin Balogun speaks with a British accent, courtesy of a childhood largely forged in England.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
  • There’s just this courtesy, and people are just very aware.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • The regular working-class crew heading home for the day filed onto her bus when a supervisor popped by the front door and motioned to two teen girls.
    Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026
  • Gary Belaria said, motioning toward the parking lot.
    Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • The contributions to Becerra and Bonta are one signal that AI giants and their employees have taken notice, investing in state elections in addition to congressional races.
    Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
  • By examining how the atmospheric signal changed over time, Gapp and his team found that the evening side absorbed slightly more starlight than the morning side, the study reports.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • Good bathroom etiquette here is less about politeness than safety, since a crowded aisle is something the crew would rather avoid.
    Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
  • For the most part, CTA personnel act with grace and politeness, although the sour drivers can influence the riders’ experiences as well.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • Algerian flags waved above the crowd as chants echoed through the plaza, alongside the sounds of drums, horns and singing.
    J.M. Banks June 15, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2026
  • Up in the stands, fans waved their own flags — including some sneaked in over the objections of FIFA and the courts — and wrestled with emotions, as boos, howls and hisses rained down from all corners of the stadium.
    Rick Maese, Washington Post, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 forced Berlin to begin rethinking that posture.
    Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
  • Retired 14-year veteran offensive tackle Tyron Smith has been visiting the Cowboys’ facility this offseason to help develop young linemen, with Tyler Guyton calling Smith’s mentorship on posture and technique incredibly valuable.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • That reflection led her into a deep dive into rituals, baths, sensory experiences, and small wellness practices that became acts of self-care during a difficult period.
    Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
  • If worries spiral, write them down in clear language, then choose a practical fix and a simple ritual to restore steady rhythm.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on gesture

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster