Synonyms of gestures

gestures 1 of 2

noun

plural of gesture

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

• signs
• gesticulations
• postures
• signals
• waves
• mimes
• pantomimes
• motions
• shrugs
• indications
• flourishes
• sign languages
• becks
• body languages
• beckons

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

• courtesies
• manners
• ceremonies
• rituals
• attentions
• greetings
• formalities
• pleasantries
• rules
• rites
• amenities
• civilities
• etiquettes
• observances
• forms
• respects
• honors
• proprieties
• addresses
• regards
• mores
• protocols
• graces
• favors
• decorums
• devoirs

gestures

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of gesture

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

• motions
• waves
• signals
• flags
• beckons
• nods
• signs
• tells
• pantomimes
• mimes
• gesticulates
• informs
• shrugs
• signalizes
• advises
• flourishes
• relates
• acquaints

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of gestures

Noun

Macho Cowboy At the top of the pinnacle of power within the telenovela structure is the macho cowboy whose high emotional expressions of jealousy, anger, and confrontation are accepted as passionate acts of strength or romantic gestures. — Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Chris Matthews, with Blankies 4 My Buddies, said those seemingly small gestures can carry meaning. — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Flight attendants say small gestures like making eye contact, greeting crew, and saying thank you signal cooperative, respectful passengers. — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2026

The partnership also gave one of KATSEYE’s most recognizable gestures a new life. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2026

During my testing, the Contour Touch responded dependably enough that gestures became a regular part of my editing workflow. — Sascha Brodsky, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026

But, having offered these initial glimpses, Haghighi’s camera gets to work, macrophotographically zeroing in on small groups and on individual faces and gestures. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026

The glasses can also function as a gaming console, Meta said, and there will be more than 75 games at launch that users can play solely with hand gestures. — Kaitlyn Huamani, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

Meta said the glasses will also support more than 75 games at launch that can be played simply with hand gestures, while the device will also support Xbox Cloud Gaming with a handheld gaming pack. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 24 Sep. 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

Visit some wineries and the old tomato-canning factory at Vlychada, a museum that gestures both to an old family industry and also to contemporary art. — Timothy O'Grady, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2019