1
as in signs
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
2
as in courtesies
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
as in motions
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
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Recent Examples of gestures
Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Apr. 2026
The high five is one of the most universal gestures in sports.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
The high five is one of sports’ most iconic gestures.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
These gestures are shaped by a mix of influencer aesthetics and pop culture.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Our interface makes intelligent use of swipes and gestures rather than tapping or dialing.
—David Szondy
april 25, New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2026
With precise lip-syncing and fluid gestures, the company aims to make its robots feel like lifelike digital characters rather than machines.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
That’s when someone inundates you with affectionate words and gestures early on to build influence.
—Kathy and Ross Petrass, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
They can be controlled with your voice, buttons or some simple gestures and use artificial intelligence to interpret surroundings and provide audio feedback.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Adam Beam, AJC.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
This includes the importance of gestures such as going to retrieve from the family casket a pin that reproduces the British and American flags together, as well as those that actually fly on the streets of Washington.
—Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Apr. 2026
The high five is one of the most universal gestures in sports.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
The high five is one of sports’ most iconic gestures.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
These gestures are shaped by a mix of influencer aesthetics and pop culture.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Our interface makes intelligent use of swipes and gestures rather than tapping or dialing.
—David Szondy
april 25, New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2026
With precise lip-syncing and fluid gestures, the company aims to make its robots feel like lifelike digital characters rather than machines.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Apr. 2026
That’s when someone inundates you with affectionate words and gestures early on to build influence.
—Kathy and Ross Petrass, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
They can be controlled with your voice, buttons or some simple gestures and use artificial intelligence to interpret surroundings and provide audio feedback.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
Health care executive Rick Jackson gestures to a supporter while qualifying to run for governor at the Georgia state Capitol last month.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gestures
Noun
-
With most dogs showing signs of dental disease by age three, simple, low-effort solutions are gaining traction among pet owners looking for consistency without adding complexity.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Sources with knowledge of the case previously told Fox News Digital there were no signs of a struggle inside.—
Michael Ruiz , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Small courtesies keep big efforts moving forward.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
With both courtesies and catastrophes refusing to conform, the canton’s school board, publishers, and clergy were forced to produce multiple editions of primers, textbooks, and catechisms; sometimes five parallel print runs were needed for a population the size of a town.—
Simon Akam,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
But on a Sunday morning in July 1595, the groan of the heavy wooden door startled him from his gesticulations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Mar. 2026
-
There was a rush of gesticulations, with Greenberg speaking in English.—
Robert Sullivan,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Prime Minister-elect Peter Magyar waves a Hungarian flag after delivering his victory speech in Budapest on Sunday.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
19 Apr. 2026
-
At the end of the video, Williams proposes to Laufey as her guest stars watch on with vacant expressions — even as the Grammy winner waves her hands in front of their faces.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Triggers can be smells, sounds, places, postures or tones of voice.—
Dr. Andrew Garner,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
-
On this tour, the postures struck are much fewer and farther in-between, or less planned and deliberate-seeming.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Doctors would infuse a virus into her son's ears carrying a gene for a protein called otoferlin, which Travis was missing, hopefully restoring the ability of his brain to receive signals from his ears.—
Rob Stein,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2026
-
This protein plays a role in transmitting pulses from cochlear cells within the ear to nearby nerves, which carry the signals on to the brain.—
Berkeley Lovelace Jr,
NBC news,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gestures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gestures. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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