gesture 1 of 2

noun

ˈjes-chər How to pronounce gesture (audio)
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

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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

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
From extravagance to romantic gestures, life can feel a little more theatrical this season. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026 That would mean a person wearing a Samsung smartwatch could make a specific gesture with their hand, which could carry out a feature on the device. — Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 22 July 2026
Verb
With Declan Rice racing back to cover, Sorloth took too long and was crowded out, leaving Haaland to gesture and point to where the ball should have been played. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 12 July 2026 Her closing argument gestured broadly toward supporting public education, tenants, and quality of life, without specifics that voters could hold onto. — Bradley Honan, New York Daily News, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
  1. sign
  2. courtesy
  3. motion
  4. signal
  5. politeness
  6. wave
  7. posture
  8. ritual
Noun
  • Certain top players, including Alex de Minaur, opted out of the media boycott for Wimbledon, citing their appreciation of the prize money increase as a sign of progress.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • And the early signs of a smooth 2030 tournament hosting are not promising; the South Americans have been accused of both brutal tactics on the field and racist abuse by fans off it.
    — Simon Chadwick, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of sign
Noun
  • His final game was the World Cup last-16 fixture between Spain and Portugal at this summer’s tournament, which eventual champions Spain won 1-0 courtesy of a stoppage-time Mikel Merino winner.
    — David Ornstein, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • More on the Platform titles below, with language courtesy of the festival.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 July 2026
Definition of courtesy
Verb
  • Hamrick said to his companion, motioning to a spot short of the summit.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • In security footage obtained by ABC 13, the officer, alleged to be Carrico, is seen motioning the woman to take a seat; the woman complies.
    — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Definition of motion
Noun
  • This signal reached Earth as a continuous invitation to fellowship, and the record-breaking viewership of Artemis II built like a slow cooker feast, with global engagement increasing from launch to splashdown.
    — Aparna Venkatesan, Space.com, 20 July 2026
  • Very early in the morning, however, the moon will make a series of aspects — with Mars, Saturn and Mercury retrograde — that could potentially trigger everything from feelings of restlessness to emotional reactions due to mixed signals.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
Definition of signal
Noun
  • Southworth started focusing more specifically on civility, decency, and politeness after COVID, when many employees were fleeing the hospitality industry—all while the membership at their clubs was doubling.
    — Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
  • The board member who survives every conversation about them has been preserved not by respect but by politeness.
    — Audrey Russo, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of politeness
Verb
  • The latter was down three times before the referee waved off the remaining time in the eight-round bout.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
  • Activists in pink balaclavas led by Nadya Tolokonnikova and other members of Pussy Riot, together with the feminist dissent group FEMEN, shot smoke flares and waved Ukrainian flags outside the Russian pavilion, chanting anti-war slogans.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 24 July 2026
Definition of wave
Noun
  • But the default posture should be publicly declared, rules-based, and stable enough to plan around.
    — Ashish Bhatia, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
  • An inverse kinematics controller coordinates the movements of the legs, allowing the robot to adjust its posture and move in different directions.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026
Definition of posture
Noun
  • The uninitiated do not understand that the ritual is itself the gain.
    — Michel A. Ibrahim, Baltimore Sun, 25 July 2026
  • Each morning before Grays drops her now 2-year-old daughter off at daycare, the two share a ritual of positive affirmations.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
Definition of ritual

Browse Nearby Words

gestural
gesture
gestured
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Cite this Entry

“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gesture

Nglish: Translation of gesture for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gesture

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