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
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Recent Examples of gesture
Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Some dancers, robot-like in their gestures, made their way through the floors and participated in different dances taking place, while others repeated the same steps on loop.
—Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025
Paige Williams, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Tung said, gesturing a heart with her hands that Swift did in their direction on stage at the time.
—Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Noun
Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos gestures during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on September 08, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Some dancers, robot-like in their gestures, made their way through the floors and participated in different dances taking place, while others repeated the same steps on loop.
—Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Other college football coaches often gesture at this hierarchy; Swinney conveys it with an evangelist’s zeal.
—Paige Williams, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Tung said, gesturing a heart with her hands that Swift did in their direction on stage at the time.
—Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
Noun
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But the new wave of disavowals represents the latest sign that the conflict, which has killed thousands of Palestinians, has become polarizing within the mainstream of the party.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Flowers — purple mums, white and yellow lilies, and pink roses — had been laid near the university sign.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The tradition muted palette gets a graphic update courtesy of pops of color informed by school pennants, an LV monogram tartan, as well as on theme embroideries and crests that extend to small accessories in the form of what are sure to be covetable caps, scarves, and ties.—
Naomi Rougeau,
Robb Report,
12 Sep. 2025
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Green Bay would find the end zone once more in the first half, courtesy of another 90-plus-yard drive.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The man calmly motioned to the back of his station wagon.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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From his Mercedes Benz, parked nearby, Martin spotted Davis and motioned him over, Davis wrote in his book.—
Gina Barton,
USA Today,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Economists have ramped up calls for Beijing to unleash fiscal support as fresh data signals mounting economic strains.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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For families across the country, the hope is that New Mexico isn’t an outlier, but a signal of what’s possible when childcare is treated as both an economic driver and a family necessity.—
Jennifer Jay Palumbo,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The poster themselves shared their belief in the power of politeness.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
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While the wife’s new friendship may have started innocently, the man felt compelled to put his family’s comfort above politeness.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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President William Lai attempted to visit New York City and Dallas in July, but was waved off by the White House without public explanation.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Once Kirk’s body arrived in Phoenix, it was transported to a local mortuary chapel with a motorcade escort, with mourners lining the way and his wife, Erika Frantzve, waving to supporters.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Deals can stall or collapse if a prospective client is not confident in a company’s security posture.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
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This represents a fundamental shift in retail strategy, from the growth focused mentality of the past decade to a more defensive posture focused on protecting margins and operational control.—
Brian Delp,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Shot against the stunning backdrops of New Zealand, the campaign shows how even the smallest moments of a morning ritual — from the hiss of steam to the first swirl of crema — can embody calm and indulgence.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Their 13th album, International, interprets the ritual of early retirement sendoff as a boisterous dance party with plenty of music royalty cameos showing up to pay their respects.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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