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
Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2025
And there's always Google Translate and hand gestures to get you through.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Many different gestures are happening in this book.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Each robot, remotely operated, clinks glasses and gestures in unison, embodying the camaraderie and hope of the musical’s revolutionaries.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Guests will enjoy the experience free from disruptive behavior, foul language, obscene gestures, fighting, unruly conduct or inconsiderate actions.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Clavel’s isn’t an especially showy performance, but one of impressive precision, suggesting entire emotional worlds through the smallest gestures — a glance withheld or a tremor in the voice.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
The critical test is whether the trade imbalance is reset, and that will take a lot more than a few small gestures of goodwill.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Imagine, Sagittarius is ruled by expansive Jupiter — the largest planet in our solar system — known for its overflowing enthusiasm and grand gestures, while Mercury thrives on facts and details.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
While a regular trackpad responds only to simple taps, the Trackpad Pro detects different levels of force, recognizes gestures, and delivers a consistent zero-latency response across its entire surface.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2025
And there's always Google Translate and hand gestures to get you through.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Many different gestures are happening in this book.
—Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
Each robot, remotely operated, clinks glasses and gestures in unison, embodying the camaraderie and hope of the musical’s revolutionaries.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Guests will enjoy the experience free from disruptive behavior, foul language, obscene gestures, fighting, unruly conduct or inconsiderate actions.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Clavel’s isn’t an especially showy performance, but one of impressive precision, suggesting entire emotional worlds through the smallest gestures — a glance withheld or a tremor in the voice.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
The critical test is whether the trade imbalance is reset, and that will take a lot more than a few small gestures of goodwill.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Imagine, Sagittarius is ruled by expansive Jupiter — the largest planet in our solar system — known for its overflowing enthusiasm and grand gestures, while Mercury thrives on facts and details.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gestures
Noun
-
With unpredictable twists and emotions running high, this Halloween is especially chaotic, and Mutable signs — Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces — can't imagine what's in store.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Front-foot defending and slick attacking interplay, especially on the left flank, has been the blueprint over the past few seasons, but there are signs of evolution.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 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
-
The two sides, now locked into competitive postures, might also simply grow exasperated with each another and announce new trade restrictions out of the blue.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Repetitive motions, awkward postures, and constant strain add up, often ending in costly musculoskeletal injuries that take weeks to heal.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Are momentum indicators in the MACD and RSI flashing buy signals?—
Jay Woods,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Strange signals from an unknown origin, full of static, pop up on the radio.—
Will Borger,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gestures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gestures. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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