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

This memory of the body’s muscle enacted in the gesture of cutting, moved from anger to mindfulness to mourning for all that was lost in that claiming of art. — Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026 The device, which Snap CEO Evan Spiegel unveiled last month, responds to voice commands and hand gestures to interact with apps and the world around you. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026

Verb

But jumping off the field throughout the game was enforcing linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who led the team with 12 tackles against his former club, gesturing and yelling at their sidelines throughout. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026 And there, Guadagnino says, gesturing to a section covered by a red tarp, is where his team built the men’s bathrooms where some computer scientists have a pissing contest. — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gesture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture

Noun

Vocals strain at the center of the songs while lonesome organs burn around the margins like the argon glow of a street-sign montage.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
With hindsight, there were warning signs, said Constanze Stelzenmüller in the Financial Times.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of sign

Noun

Many of the stories, interviews and analyses Jake Tapper presents to his followers on CNN rely heavily on moving pictures, courtesy of his employer.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026
To add finishing touches to her look, Adams wore a pair of gold statement earrings, along with a cocktail ring courtesy of David Webb.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of courtesy

Noun

The signal comes from millions of buying journeys observed in parallel.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The spread on the social media giant's five-year credit default swaps reached all-time highs on Thursday, a signal of growing credit concerns from investors as the company leans deeper into its artificial intelligence spending plans.

— CJ Haddad, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of signal

Verb

Before joining the postgame handshake line, Bidunga turned toward the KU student section in the south end zone, waved and blew a kiss goodbye to the same fans who had booed him during warmups, introductions and throughout the game.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
One notice was handed to Nasir Malik, a community activist in a New Delhi quarter called Mustafabad, who waved it around on a recent day.

— Diaa Hadid, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of wave

Noun

Countdowns shape budgets and deterrence postures—which is why getting the timeline wrong has serious consequences, for all parties in the relationship.

— Ningrong Liu, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
There have been much smaller posture adjustments at several other embassies in the Middle East -- changes officials say are also linked to the Houthi threat and other matters not connected to any plan to resume combat against Iran.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of posture

Noun

Brushing off tombstones is a regular ritual in some cultures, including in Mexico where entire families clean and decorate graves, which are covered with orange marigolds for Day of the Dead.

— Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
What saunas may offer women PT and lymphatic drainage expert Sonia Rose told Women’s Health that warmth has long been a female comfort ritual.

— Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of ritual

Browse Nearby Words

gestural

gesture

gestured

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of gesture

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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