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 last president to make the gesture was Barack Obama, who greeted then-Pope Francis on the Andrews tarmac 11 years ago this week. — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026 This is a considerate gesture that keeps the lines of communication open in a friendship. — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

Verb

Trump gestured to new sod that had been laid around the helipad. — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026 Diamondbacks pitching coach Brian Kaplan also grew animated and seemed to gesture toward Berry in the coach’s box. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gesture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture

Noun

Venus in your daily-life zone connects awkwardly with Uranus in your sign, increasing your appetite for novelty, movement, or a different way of doing things.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
The Moon in your sign trines Chiron in your creative 5th house, encouraging you to show a side of yourself that isn’t polished for approval.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of sign

Noun

On Instagram, Anderson shared a behind-the-scenes look at her beauty prep, courtesy of her vegan skin care line, Sonsie.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
Later, Ceretti returned to close the night in custom Prada, courtesy of Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons.

— Alice Abbiadati, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of courtesy

Verb

The 2022 ruling came after the defense motioned in 2020 to have Toshpuldzoda evaluated for mental health issues.

— Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026
District 4 Councilwoman Renee Perkins Johnson motioned at the May 11 meeting to rescind support for the project’s funding agreement.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of motion

Noun

The system could therefore separate where a biological signal is detected from where treatment is delivered.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
One of the novel’s sharpest scenes comes when Ellen calls and Ruby, hearing urgency in her voice, runs automatically through the house to find better signal.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of signal

Verb

Last spring, Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner waved from a city fire truck at the front of the annual gay Pride parade down Ocean Drive.

— Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Crowds had gathered on the sidewalk across from the museum, many waving Chinese and American flags.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of wave

Noun

Jones is, as she’s proven throughout her career, immensely adept at capturing a multitude of personae with quick shifts of posture, timbre, and accent, though in this case, a sameness comes with recounting so much recent political conversation.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
This year, the nation of 41 million has a new posture on the planet's biggest diplomatic stage.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of posture

Noun

Yes; there are spa treatments as well as a sauna, cold plunge, and hot tub circuit rooted in a traditional Ahousaht bathing ritual.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026
And then, during the day, coffee is the ritual that connects me with others, with my friends and family.

— Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 24 Sep. 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 27 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of gesture

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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