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
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
The system understands the space around the user via computer vision sensors (cameras recognize objects, surfaces, gestures); lidars accurately measure distances and build a 3D map of space; special sensors determine the shape and volume of objects.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Yet the shows have done the TV equivalent of posting through it, making gestures of concern toward cleaning up their acts while cynically leveraging the drama surrounding the franchise’s small and large scandals to rev up interest and drive viewers to their screens.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Mar. 2026
Eliot shows that being a kind person isn’t about grand gestures.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 20 Mar. 2026
Philadelphia Flyers center Trevor Zegras (46) skates after scoring a goal as Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) looks on from the ice and referee Cody Beach, back right, gestures during a shootout of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Los Angeles.
—CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
McClellen gestures to the top of the Aerial Rescue oak, pointing out that the crown of the tree appears to be dying back, bare branches rising from the leafier lower canopy.
—Calin Van Paris, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026
Her technique called for bare feet instead of pointe shoes and gestures that were more sinuous and earthy than classical ballet.
—Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
At the same time, the biography gestures at what remained unspoken and inadmissible in Blume’s childhood.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
This successful integration proved that the AI could reliably translate internal tendon twitches into precise digital hand gestures across different body types.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2026
The system understands the space around the user via computer vision sensors (cameras recognize objects, surfaces, gestures); lidars accurately measure distances and build a 3D map of space; special sensors determine the shape and volume of objects.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Yet the shows have done the TV equivalent of posting through it, making gestures of concern toward cleaning up their acts while cynically leveraging the drama surrounding the franchise’s small and large scandals to rev up interest and drive viewers to their screens.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Mar. 2026
Eliot shows that being a kind person isn’t about grand gestures.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 20 Mar. 2026
Philadelphia Flyers center Trevor Zegras (46) skates after scoring a goal as Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) looks on from the ice and referee Cody Beach, back right, gestures during a shootout of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Los Angeles.
—CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
McClellen gestures to the top of the Aerial Rescue oak, pointing out that the crown of the tree appears to be dying back, bare branches rising from the leafier lower canopy.
—Calin Van Paris, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026
Her technique called for bare feet instead of pointe shoes and gestures that were more sinuous and earthy than classical ballet.
—Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
At the same time, the biography gestures at what remained unspoken and inadmissible in Blume’s childhood.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gestures
Noun
-
In a message Monday on X, Sánchez said that so far there were no signs indicating that the plane was attacked by rebel groups that operate near Puerto Leguizamo.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Cabarrus County Republican Party Chair Jim Quick pointed to the combination of increases in property values and tax revenue growth as signs homeowners in the county are feeling effects of higher tax bills.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 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
-
Every now and again, a brand-new book waves its knowing hand.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Dancer Natalie Reid approaches to take the barstool beside her, but Swift waves her away because the seat is reserved for her stone.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Same president, same day, same strike — two contradictory postures.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
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This was done through the observation of the breath, leading to a comprehensive awareness of bodily sensations in all postures and at all times when not sleeping.—
Daniel M. Stuart,
The Conversation,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For years, firms like Kpler have flagged thousands of instances of oil tankers in the Persian Gulf manipulating onboard Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals — the system used to track vessels in transit — to evade sanctions on Iranian oil exports.—
Matthew Chin,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
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That uncertainty looms in the air on Wall Street as investors try to navigate shifting signals from Washington.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gestures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gestures. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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