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

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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
But sometimes there are grand gestures, too, like the dad who walked 30 miles through hurricane wreckage to make it to his daughter’s wedding. Sydney Page, Washington Post, 20 June 2026 And last session, Idaho made its first gestures toward doing the same. Mark Dee june 19, Idaho Statesman, 19 June 2026
Verb
The premise means that almost the entire episode is free of dialogue, with the characters communicating by writing on chalkboards and gesturing. ArsTechnica, 7 June 2026 Grande asks, gesturing to the loop station. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 7 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
Noun
  • Police said there were no signs of trauma or foul play and homicide detectives are investigating.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2026
  • By the end of the meeting, however, signs of a compromise had emerged.
    Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • Fyall says while Kansas City is a host city, the multiple base camps will deliver significant international visibility courtesy of the foreign sports press.
    Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • Alicia Keys closed out the momentous occasion decked out in a custom all-black leather look, courtesy of a collaboration between Pelle Pelle and Daniel’s Leather.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • In video shared by the outlet, Stewart grips surfaces for support while singing before motioning to a crew member, who brings over an oxygen tank and places the mask over his nose and mouth.
    Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 21 June 2026
  • 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
Noun
  • Tania Galloni, an attorney with Earthjustice, said advocates have received mixed signals from state officials regarding the future of the facility.
    Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 23 June 2026
  • Lectra said sequins are up 40 percent and fringe 34 percent this spring and summer season—a signal that consumers crave escapism and individuality.
    Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 23 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
  • As recently as May, Tesla’s X account posted an ad showing drivers with their hands off the wheel, goofing off while waving their fingers in the air or sipping a hot coffee from a ceramic mug with two hands.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 22 June 2026
  • Argentina fans celebrated in the concourse of AT&T Stadium with roaring chants, flag waving and dancing.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • Humility is the posture; the standard is merciless.
    Luis E. Romero, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • The muscles along your spine and upper back also stay engaged, which can keep your posture in check.
    Alisa Hrustic, Health, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • After a few minutes of ritual, a group of three men shed their long black robes to reveal flowing gowns and began their sema, or ceremony, a ritual that has been recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
    Susan B. Barnes, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2026
  • That might include customer commitments the team can protect, decisions managers can make without escalation, experiments the team can run over the next 30 days, learning priorities for an AI transition, escalation rules for customer or employee risk, and team rituals that keep work coherent.
    Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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