1
as in flags
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 gestures
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
as in motions
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
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 signals
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2025
The cost-effectiveness comes in part from not having to widen the road and reconfigure it to add signals.
—Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
The winners of the next decade won’t be the companies that use AI to polish existing processes—they’ll be the ones that let AI uncover the signals human intuition misses and reimagine their operating model around them.
—Mike Hoffman, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025
In these devices, light can move faster and use less energy than electrical signals.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025
The retina is a layer of tissue at the back of the eyeball that converts images into nerve signals that are sent to the brain, and the peripheral retina is the outer portion, which gives us side vision.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
The system operates in low Earth orbit, where thousands of small satellites form a network to transmit internet signals to users on the ground.
—Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025
The bomber boasts advanced stealth capabilities, with lines designed to disperse any incoming radar signals.
—New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025
The Russian aircraft ignored signals from NATO pilots during the 12-minute incursion, Estonian officials said, marking the latest test of the alliance’s response to Moscow’s threats, more than a week after Russian drones crossed into Poland.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2025
Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Consistently increasing weight, reps, or overall training volume signals the body to adapt and grow stronger.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Forget, for a second, that this signals what may either be an extraordinary one-off for the legendary actor or the beginning of a fertile new chapter.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2025
The holiday signals the summer-to-fall transition.
—George Petras, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
While a yellow placard signals two or more major violations, these are typically corrected or mitigated during the inspection, according to the Sacramento County Food Inspection Guide.
—Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Rather, signals the brain's circadian clock to prepare for sleep.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2025
Once a marker of lineage and tradition, a pinky ring is now the perfect platform on which its wearer signals their personal style—a tiny stage for diamonds, stacks, or just a single, simple gold band.
—Malaika Crawford, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025
The announcement signals a significant push to further expand charter schools in South Florida, a move critics warn could drain resources from traditional public schools already grappling with declining enrollment.
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
But in a twist, strong economic signals could actually keep the Fed from cutting rates, reining in market bulls.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2025
The cost-effectiveness comes in part from not having to widen the road and reconfigure it to add signals.
—Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
The winners of the next decade won’t be the companies that use AI to polish existing processes—they’ll be the ones that let AI uncover the signals human intuition misses and reimagine their operating model around them.
—Mike Hoffman, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025
In these devices, light can move faster and use less energy than electrical signals.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025
The retina is a layer of tissue at the back of the eyeball that converts images into nerve signals that are sent to the brain, and the peripheral retina is the outer portion, which gives us side vision.
—Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
The system operates in low Earth orbit, where thousands of small satellites form a network to transmit internet signals to users on the ground.
—Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025
The bomber boasts advanced stealth capabilities, with lines designed to disperse any incoming radar signals.
—New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025
The Russian aircraft ignored signals from NATO pilots during the 12-minute incursion, Estonian officials said, marking the latest test of the alliance’s response to Moscow’s threats, more than a week after Russian drones crossed into Poland.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
Gucci’s disruptive format for its debut via an advanced lookbook and film screening signals the importance of innovative marketing in resetting and projecting a brand.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Consistently increasing weight, reps, or overall training volume signals the body to adapt and grow stronger.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Forget, for a second, that this signals what may either be an extraordinary one-off for the legendary actor or the beginning of a fertile new chapter.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2025
The holiday signals the summer-to-fall transition.
—George Petras, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
While a yellow placard signals two or more major violations, these are typically corrected or mitigated during the inspection, according to the Sacramento County Food Inspection Guide.
—Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Rather, signals the brain's circadian clock to prepare for sleep.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2025
Once a marker of lineage and tradition, a pinky ring is now the perfect platform on which its wearer signals their personal style—a tiny stage for diamonds, stacks, or just a single, simple gold band.
—Malaika Crawford, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025
The announcement signals a significant push to further expand charter schools in South Florida, a move critics warn could drain resources from traditional public schools already grappling with declining enrollment.
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signals
Noun
-
The gunman got out of the four-door pickup with two American flags in the truck and started shooting, Police Chief William Renye told reporters.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The charred, partially burned church was still visible, and the pickup truck that crashed through the door just a day ago was outside, with two American flags hanging limp in the truck bed.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Still, while generous in nature, Jupiter is notorious for its over-the-top gestures, inspiring commitments that are more ambitious than sustainable.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
-
At one point our conversation halts as Bailey gestures toward the window, where two men stroll past arm in arm.—
Olivia-Anne Cleary,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In addition to the cut-through traffic prohibitions for trucks on residential streets, city staff will work with the City Council on ordinance revisions to strengthen penalties on truck operators and owners who do not comply with signs and restrictions.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Fellow wide receivers Chris Marshall and Cam Bates came over to celebrate with Brown before realizing he was still hunched over the ball and showed no signs of getting up.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Oct. 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
Cite this Entry
“Signals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signals. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share