as in motioning
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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gesturing
Hernandez said, gesturing toward a jungle gym near Park View Street.
—
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Stand on My Shoulders enacts resistance through relationality—its title gesturing toward Galanin’s father, its collaborations insisting on collective voice.
—Petala Ironcloud, Pitchfork, 20 Jan. 2026
As two other agents rushed toward her window, gesturing at her and trying to open the vehicle’s door, Ross walked to the front of her vehicle.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
The footage, posted initially to Marzilli's Instagram account @emgonewild, begins with the free-diving instructor and her friends in full dive gear, screaming and gesturing at each other on the water's surface with big smiles on their faces.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
The prosthetics started here [gesturing to his torso] and went up to my head.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 4 Jan. 2026
The soundbyte was quickly transferred to TikTok and became a global phenomenon, with Gen Alpha shouting the numbers and gesturing up and down with their hands, without explanation.
—Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2025
The decor is dark and earthy, with leather chairs, faux fur and antler chandeliers all gesturing at the wolf theme.
—Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 18 Dec. 2025
Trump continued, gesturing to the two leaders sitting beside him onstage.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Stand on My Shoulders enacts resistance through relationality—its title gesturing toward Galanin’s father, its collaborations insisting on collective voice.
—Petala Ironcloud, Pitchfork, 20 Jan. 2026
As two other agents rushed toward her window, gesturing at her and trying to open the vehicle’s door, Ross walked to the front of her vehicle.
—Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
The footage, posted initially to Marzilli's Instagram account @emgonewild, begins with the free-diving instructor and her friends in full dive gear, screaming and gesturing at each other on the water's surface with big smiles on their faces.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
The prosthetics started here [gesturing to his torso] and went up to my head.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 4 Jan. 2026
The soundbyte was quickly transferred to TikTok and became a global phenomenon, with Gen Alpha shouting the numbers and gesturing up and down with their hands, without explanation.
—Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2025
The decor is dark and earthy, with leather chairs, faux fur and antler chandeliers all gesturing at the wolf theme.
—Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 18 Dec. 2025
Trump continued, gesturing to the two leaders sitting beside him onstage.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesturing
Verb
-
The next play offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand called involved a couple of players motioning.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
1 Dec. 2025
-
Virgin-Morgan then was motioning toward officials, but nothing was called by the crew.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Hundreds of Senegalese gathered for a public viewing in the area historically called Little Senegal in Harlem, then spilled into the streets waving flags, singing and dancing in an informal parade late into the night.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The float at the front of the line featured Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy with Mickey waving the flag, Goofy banging a drum, and Donald on flute, a giant eagle looming over them from behind.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gesturing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesturing. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
