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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of gestures
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
At one point our conversation halts as Bailey gestures toward the window, where two men stroll past arm in arm.
—Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Its intuitive interface allows for operation with minimal training, either through direct hand gestures or semi-autonomous navigation during transport between deployment sites.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
Those diplomatic gestures, along with his success in attracting foreign investment, won Vučić international praise as an effective reformer.
—Hanna Begić, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
The film shows the unspoken love and care expressed by gestures among the emotionally more reserved Chinese families, while in the film, the Qeelin jewelry becomes part of that special moment with auspicious meanings.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Hamm visited Nichols during an earlier stage of his recovery, when Nichols was able to respond to yes-or-no questions using hand gestures.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Anat Joseph agreed, noting that gestures like sending scented clothing blur platonic boundaries and can understandably make a partner uncomfortable.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Guests will enjoy the experience free from disruptive behavior, foul language, obscene gestures, fighting, unruly conduct or inconsiderate actions.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
Still, while generous in nature, Jupiter is notorious for its over-the-top gestures, inspiring commitments that are more ambitious than sustainable.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
At one point our conversation halts as Bailey gestures toward the window, where two men stroll past arm in arm.
—Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Its intuitive interface allows for operation with minimal training, either through direct hand gestures or semi-autonomous navigation during transport between deployment sites.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
Those diplomatic gestures, along with his success in attracting foreign investment, won Vučić international praise as an effective reformer.
—Hanna Begić, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
The film shows the unspoken love and care expressed by gestures among the emotionally more reserved Chinese families, while in the film, the Qeelin jewelry becomes part of that special moment with auspicious meanings.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Hamm visited Nichols during an earlier stage of his recovery, when Nichols was able to respond to yes-or-no questions using hand gestures.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Anat Joseph agreed, noting that gestures like sending scented clothing blur platonic boundaries and can understandably make a partner uncomfortable.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Guests will enjoy the experience free from disruptive behavior, foul language, obscene gestures, fighting, unruly conduct or inconsiderate actions.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gestures
Noun
-
In addition to the cut-through traffic prohibitions for trucks on residential streets, city staff will work with the City Council on ordinance revisions to strengthen penalties on truck operators and owners who do not comply with signs and restrictions.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Fellow wide receivers Chris Marshall and Cam Bates came over to celebrate with Brown before realizing he was still hunched over the ball and showed no signs of getting up.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Leonora measures out her days in courtesies and slights, the former dominating the beginning of the book, the latter rapidly gaining ground.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There was a rush of gesticulations, with Greenberg speaking in English.—
Robert Sullivan,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In Los Angeles, Justin Bieber takes the court for some basketball, a pregnant Cardi B waves her arms and Glen Powell and Peyton Manning are all smiles at the Chad Powers premiere.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
-
After the Hunt star Andrew Garfield waves to attendees of the red carpet premiere of the film in Venice on Friday.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In the studio, niche interests are exchanged for conformity and collective attention to breath and postures—at least on the surface.—
Calin Van Paris,
Outside,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Animals configure their faces and bodies in certain postures for practical reasons — for example, unsheathing their teeth before biting, widening their eyes for a panoramic view of danger, flattening their ears to protect them in a fight.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But in a twist, strong economic signals could actually keep the Fed from cutting rates, reining in market bulls.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The cost-effectiveness comes in part from not having to widen the road and reconfigure it to add signals.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gestures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gestures. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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