SIGNAL Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

signal 1 of 3

noun

ˈsig-nᵊl

Definition of signal

as in flag

an object intended to give public notice or warning stop signs are signals for vehicles to come to a full stop—not suggestions for slowing down, as some drivers seem to think

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in gesture

a movement of the body or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea or feeling quietly waiting for the signal to advance

Synonyms & Similar Words

signal

2 of 3

verb

as in to motion

to direct or notify by a movement or gesture signaled the oncoming traffic to stop while the wrecked car was being towed away

Synonyms & Similar Words

signal

3 of 3

adjective

as in outstanding

standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement the Louisiana Purchase is cited by many historians as one of the most signal events in American history

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 signal

Noun

Anthropic also cautions against treating either signal as definitive proof of authorship. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026 Phone signals were out in many parts of the region's capital, Quibdo. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

Verb

On Friday, the S&P rose to a record following an unexpected loss of jobs in July which signaled that the Federal Reserve could leave monetary policy on hold for now. — Justina Lee,alex Harring, CNBC, 9 Aug. 2026 Still, the turnout and intensity voters showed in the primary could signal an enthusiasm gap for voters opposed to the state’s more conservative proposals. — Jack Harvel august 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for signal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for signal

Noun

Despite sweltering heat, their meticulously choreographed one hour set on the Allianz stage, broadcast globally via the festival's Hulu/Disney+ livestream, captivated hundreds of fans waving Filipino flags.

— Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
One solution that came from readers of this column was to put up a flag whenever the pool was open and take it down whenever guests weren’t welcome.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of flag

Verb

Malonga motioned to the ground behind us and described his vision of an outdoor cooking arena for conferences and events, as well as a bakery, a butchery, and a cheese workshop.

— Alicia Erickson, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026
After lunging for the ball, Sonnett fell to the ground, grabbed her left knee and motioned to Gotham’s bench for medical assistance.

— Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of motion

Adjective

At the end of the day, both conferences feature great fanbases, historic, iconic venues, outstanding crowd atmospheres and elite, blue blood programs.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Boasting an outstanding 57-hour battery life, plus a quick 5-minute charge that adds 3 hours of playtime, they are built to power through days of classes without needing an outlet.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of outstanding

Noun

In an independent third-party clinical study of 33 participants, 100 percent showed improvement across seven key signs of lip aging after just one use, while 96 percent demonstrated enhanced lip volume after four weeks.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2026
Video from his dash camera shows the aircraft gliding under a highway sign, missing it by mere feet, before touching down in the empty lanes.

— Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of sign

Verb

Three had suffered burns, one seriously enough to be hospitalized twice and sent to a burn center after the injury was initially waved off as minor.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Nandy waved the merger through after receiving some pretty painless assurances from Ellison, including preserving the editorial independence of 5 News and kids channels.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of wave

Adjective

Former Cook County Chief Judge Tim Evans has been appointed to serve as a justice for an Illinois appeals court, securing a prestigious judgeship nearly a year after he was unseated as the top Cook County jurist.

— Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Shapiro has been named the next Richard Rodgers dean and director of the drama division at the prestigious school, taking over starting in July 2027.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of prestigious

Browse Nearby Words

sign

signal

signaled

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Style

“Signal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signal. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of signal

noun

verb

adjective

Example Sentences

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