signal 1 of 3

noun

ˈsig-nᵊl How to pronounce signal (audio)
Definition of signalnext
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

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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

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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

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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
Apple can then combine it with certain Apple Account activity to generate the final risk signals. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 If mobile signal is spotty or nonexistent, users can download country maps to navigate offline. — Kelvin Chan, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
Still, the donation signals a slow but growing national Democratic interest in Florida, which was largely abandoned by top liberal groups after a GOP tsunami consumed the state in 2022. — Liv Caputo, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026 Plush toys have long served as soft zero-g indicators for spaceflight missions, drifting freely to signal the instant a spacecraft enters weightlessness. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for signal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signal
  1. flag
  2. gesture
  3. motion
  4. outstanding
  5. sign
  6. wave
  7. distinguished
  8. prestigious
Noun
  • Williams was definitely letting her ex-vangelical freak flag fly on Monday night.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Selfie sticks dangle off every bridge, and tour groups shuffle behind guides waving flags.
    — Mary Holland, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of flag
Noun
  • Did team owners or the Polo Grounds lose any money because of this gesture to the national pastime?
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Indeed, the gesture and absence in my stories place part of the meaning-making into the imagination of the readers.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of gesture
Verb
  • On the touchdown, the senior motioned to the field side to be a second slot receiver.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The shotgun snap bounced off Tre Harris as the receiver motioned across the formation.
    — Mike Sando, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of motion
Adjective
  • Widespread discourse about the former rural doctor’s habit of suing patients over unpaid medical bills primed the internet to take notice when Marshall was confronted with an outstanding bill of his own in a Facebook post that quickly went viral.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Hartbower had an outstanding felony arrest warrant on an assault charge out of Yuba City, in neighboring Sutter County, and was on post-release community supervision in Yuba County, police said.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of outstanding
Noun
  • In a sign of how serious the warnings are, dozens of Waffle Houses in the Florida Panhandle were closed, according to the company's website.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
  • There have been multiple rallies and protests outside of WNBA games, including fans inside arenas holding pro-trans and anti-trans signs.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of sign
Verb
  • Armed and hooded, the gang was waved in by Black and surprised, subdued, and handcuffed the other security guards.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Asked whether the ongoing appeals create any unease, Rosario waved it off.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of wave
Adjective
  • Brown and Martin have also each earned the IBMA’s distinguished achievement award.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The Bangkok outpost in the Ratchadamri shopping district draws distinguished guests who zip around the city via the connecting BTS Skytrain station.
    — Condé Nast, cntraveler.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of distinguished
Adjective
  • In the prestigious official selection, the 12 world premieres from 15 countries (including co-producing territories), hail from Ireland, Estonia, Germany, Spain, to Iran, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Kazakhstan.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The hotel continues to honor the building's textile history, offering guests an alterations service provided by the professionals at Santa Eulalia, the most prestigious tailors in Barcelona.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of prestigious

Browse Nearby Words

sign
signal
signaled
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Cite this Entry

“Signal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signal. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on signal

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about signal

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