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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of gesture
Nick Friedell, New York Times, 3 June 2026
When asked by a reporter about his gesture with the red thread after his release, Chen said it was meant to express condolences to those who died.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 17 May 2026
This likely created new evolutionary pressure for specialized hand use during tasks such as carrying objects, manipulating tools, or gesturing.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Noun
Still, the response to the subway entrance revealed just how much New Yorkers connected with the gesture.
—Nick Friedell, New York Times, 3 June 2026
When asked by a reporter about his gesture with the red thread after his release, Chen said it was meant to express condolences to those who died.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Verb
Still, after sticking Annie so deeply in the psychological trenches, gesturing to the light at the end of the tunnel is also welcome.
—Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 17 May 2026
This likely created new evolutionary pressure for specialized hand use during tasks such as carrying objects, manipulating tools, or gesturing.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
Noun
-
Jacobs continued trailing the elk—looking for signs of browse and prints and always listening for the faintest sound—for the next four days and forty miles.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
Others threw glass objects at people and ripped bus signs and trees out of the ground.—
Mark Morales,
CNN Money,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The cowboy hats, the team’s rally caps courtesy of assistant coach Carlie Chaulsett-Utley, emerged in league.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
-
Musk owns around 42% of the total equity, but Musk exerts 85% control courtesy of his overwhelming ownership of the B’s.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
29 May 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
-
Silence from the crowd and cheers from his teammates were Staal’s signal that the puck crossed the line.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
Misplacing everyday items or buying duplicates signals a need to declutter and organize.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The goldendoodle’s shoulder tap felt almost human in its politeness, and the woman’s response — smiling, breaking off a piece and blowing on it — felt effortlessly warm.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Backstage, a handful of high-spirited elementary-age girls — known as Vista Horizon, a K-pop quintet from K-town — waved to them in awe and offered their congratulations.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
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On the second day of the competition, hundreds of high school students milled about in team gear as parents and mentors mingled in the stands, waving pompoms or holding banners to celebrate when student robot operators took to the field.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Other men have adopted a more defensive posture, claiming to overstate their height only because everyone else is doing it.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
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But look at what Healey said just a few months ago to boost her anti-ICE and anti-Trump posture.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The Midwestern supper club ritual hasn’t changed, bringing guests together for long, unhurried evenings of dining and entertaining.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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The wave is one of a number of rituals that have become synonymous with Mexico’s footballing culture and will likely form a big part of the experience for the tens of thousands of overseas visitors expected to attend the 13 matches being played in Mexico.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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