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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of gestures
Theo Belci, Artforum, 2 June 2026
Pointing out the cycle of addiction while making vague gestures toward the systems that support widespread Fentanyl use doesn’t mean the surrounding story has a point of its own.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 June 2026
In a sea of prestige actresses doing dramedy, Byrne is a true comedic talent, sporting incredible instincts for finding the funniest angle for Sylvia to take in her line readings or gestures.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 May 2026
These gestures built trust in my international business, which was not forgotten by the local community.
—Midhat Zwayen, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
According to the video, these gestures were copied directly from match footage Atlas had viewed only moments earlier.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 May 2026
This Sunday is National Smile Day, a simple reminder that sometimes the smallest gestures can make the biggest impact.
—John Dias, CBS News, 27 May 2026
Our reviewer especially liked their seamless iOS connectivity and hands-free Siri controls, which even include head gestures.
—Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 26 May 2026
Traditionally, members of the royal family have withheld from tactile gestures with members of the public.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 26 May 2026
Adam Beam, AJC.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
With these gestures, Kokopeli pointed to technological manipulation, appropriation, and seriality as stock techniques drawn from the repertoire of contemporary art in the interest of efficient production.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 2 June 2026
Pointing out the cycle of addiction while making vague gestures toward the systems that support widespread Fentanyl use doesn’t mean the surrounding story has a point of its own.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 June 2026
In a sea of prestige actresses doing dramedy, Byrne is a true comedic talent, sporting incredible instincts for finding the funniest angle for Sylvia to take in her line readings or gestures.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 May 2026
These gestures built trust in my international business, which was not forgotten by the local community.
—Midhat Zwayen, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
According to the video, these gestures were copied directly from match footage Atlas had viewed only moments earlier.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 May 2026
This Sunday is National Smile Day, a simple reminder that sometimes the smallest gestures can make the biggest impact.
—John Dias, CBS News, 27 May 2026
Our reviewer especially liked their seamless iOS connectivity and hands-free Siri controls, which even include head gestures.
—Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 26 May 2026
Traditionally, members of the royal family have withheld from tactile gestures with members of the public.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 26 May 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
-
But there are signs of real life going on too, which is always a good thing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer, for example, the spectral biosignatures of carbon dioxide and methane may overlap, leading to the gasses being confused with each other and signs of life being dismissed or lost.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
1 June 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
-
The performing community challenged that notion, tracing the scat-singing and gesticulations to earlier artists including Black jazz performer Baby Esther Jones and cabaret entertainer Florence Mills.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Reid waves a paperback around before tossing it behind his back.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
2 June 2026
-
Ben-Gvir waves a large Israeli flag and tells the detainees.—
Nick Duffy,
NBC news,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The Trap of Fear-Driven Job Hugging The psychological weight of rapid technological change causes many capable employees to retreat into defensive postures.—
Glenn Llopis,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
The United Arab Emirates has adopted one of the most assertive postures during the war.—
May 19,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
But your body is actually giving you signals about blood flow all day long, and temperature is the most obvious one.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2026
-
But outside experts say more work is needed to verify the pigeons navigate this way and to firm up how these signals get to the brain.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gestures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gestures. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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