signal 1 of 3

1
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
2
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

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
To some, that percentage is either an ominous sign for his entire offensive game or a signal that his free-throw shooting can improve as his stamina improves. Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025 By targeting this natural control pathway rather than blocking specific immune signals like many current treatments do, obefazimod aims to control disease activity without broadly suppressing the immune system, potentially leading to fewer side effects and more sustained symptom relief. New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
This signals a lack of accountability. Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025 For Azerbaijan, the framework signals an upgrade toward strategic partnership with Washington. Michele Crestani, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for signal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signal
Noun
  • How long will flags be at half-staff in Wisconsin?
    Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • According to Patel’s claim, while there, the employee displayed the flag on his desk.
    Abby Monteil, Them., 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Rufus Jones, the British actor known for roles in Rivals and W1A, said the posters looked as if Bond was making an offensive gesture.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
  • His nomination was widely seen as a gesture to the left ahead of further delicate cross-party budget negotiations.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After motioning Tez Johnson from right to left beyond Egbuka, the Bucs created a single-high look with safety Blankenship dropping down to cover tight end Cade Otton.
    Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • During the 2022 incident, an unknown person motioned toward Newton to arrest Mitchell for trespassing.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Has an outstanding technical skill set.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Cinematographer Carlos Catalan has worked on Broadchurch, Dope Girls, Murdered by My Boyfriend and Killing Eve, and production designer Dominic Hyman on The Witcher, The Last Kingdom and earned an Emmy for outstanding art direction on HBO’s The Pacific.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The kids associate helicopters with life flights to the local hospital, a sign that someone has been seriously injured, Cornelison said.
    John Wisely, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Eddie Howe will hope Newcastle’s 4-0 thumping of USG is the first sign of their new-look front line gelling, with Nick Woltemade, Anthony Gordon (two penalties) and Harvey Barnes all on target.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Many springs feature a visible boil at the water surface above the spring vent, crystal clear water, submerged grasses waving in the current, and a range of fish, turtles, snails and other aquatic animals hiding in the grasses.
    Christopher F. Meindl, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Students waved pompoms also in the school’s signature black and red as Wilson jumped for joy.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Paes also highlighted that the 27th edition of Rio Fest will host 120 distinguished guests, among them French cinema superstar Juliette Binoche who, in addition to presenting her first film as a director, will also celebrate 200 years of diplomatic relations between Brazil and France.
    Marcelo Cajueiro, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The model, developed in collaboration with battery startup Sphere Energy, can predict a battery’s long-term behavior in as few as 50 power cycles modeled on the digital twin, says Teodoro Laino, distinguished research staff member at IBM Research.
    Andrew Moseman, IEEE Spectrum, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Since modern romance developed in the 1970s, these novels have been thoroughly ignored by highbrow critics and prestigious-award juries.
    Rebecca Ackermann, The Atlantic, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Although it is censored in China, the film has won Best Director for Lou at the Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan, the most prestigious stage for Sinophone cinema.
    Yangyang Cheng, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Signal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signal. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on signal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!