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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of signals
Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
Experts believe the Russian satellites that got close to the two IntelSat satellites used in part by Germany were there to intercept signals.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Presently, astronauts rely on anti-nausea drugs, which block certain brain signals.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2025
The body speaks and people ask questions because the body is sending signals.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
The end of year signals holiday cheer, festive feasts and of course, the yearly return of Spotify Wrapped — the streaming platform's annual review highlighting users' listening habits for the year.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Nov. 2025
Weber installed bars in multiple disparate locations, and although the bars themselves did display signs of significant amounts of noise, Weber looked for correlations in these noisy signals between bars in different locations.
—Big Think, 7 Nov. 2025
Without that official jobs tally, the available signals are mixed.
—NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
Strange signals from an unknown origin, full of static, pop up on the radio.
—Will Borger, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Analyst Corinne Blanchard also raised her price target to $71 per share from $68, which signals upside of 21%.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025
Raskin said the information signals Maxwell either wants to be released from her prison sentence or is making recommendations about other federal convicts to the Justice Department.
—Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
The engagement ring signals the official start of wedding planning.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
For Florida, Sykes argued, even a flat market signals stability after years of breakneck appreciation—especially in Palm Beach, where home values have jumped as much as 200% in the past few years.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
SpringHill’s involvement signals a likely retention of the original’s format, with real sports stars playing themselves as clients of the fictional sports agency.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
The reopening signals a broader tourism revival across Algeria.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
The congressional staffer said the substance of the request signals a push for systematic change.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
The test, known as Galleri, picked up cancer signals in 216 people, and 133 of them were found to actually have cancer.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025
Experts believe the Russian satellites that got close to the two IntelSat satellites used in part by Germany were there to intercept signals.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Presently, astronauts rely on anti-nausea drugs, which block certain brain signals.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2025
The body speaks and people ask questions because the body is sending signals.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
The end of year signals holiday cheer, festive feasts and of course, the yearly return of Spotify Wrapped — the streaming platform's annual review highlighting users' listening habits for the year.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Nov. 2025
Weber installed bars in multiple disparate locations, and although the bars themselves did display signs of significant amounts of noise, Weber looked for correlations in these noisy signals between bars in different locations.
—Big Think, 7 Nov. 2025
Without that official jobs tally, the available signals are mixed.
—NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
Strange signals from an unknown origin, full of static, pop up on the radio.
—Will Borger, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
This reunion at an AAA event signals a new level of cooperation between WWE and the Mexican promotion.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Analyst Corinne Blanchard also raised her price target to $71 per share from $68, which signals upside of 21%.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025
Raskin said the information signals Maxwell either wants to be released from her prison sentence or is making recommendations about other federal convicts to the Justice Department.
—Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
The engagement ring signals the official start of wedding planning.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
For Florida, Sykes argued, even a flat market signals stability after years of breakneck appreciation—especially in Palm Beach, where home values have jumped as much as 200% in the past few years.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
SpringHill’s involvement signals a likely retention of the original’s format, with real sports stars playing themselves as clients of the fictional sports agency.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
The reopening signals a broader tourism revival across Algeria.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
The congressional staffer said the substance of the request signals a push for systematic change.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signals
Noun
-
People walk past a Burger King restaurant with Chinese national flags displayed on a street during the National Day Golden Week holiday on October 5, 2024, in Chongqing, China.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
-
In front of the Idaho State Capitol steps on Saturday morning, the street was lined with people waving American flags as historic military vehicles and military personnel both current and former made their way through downtown.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
While a regular trackpad responds only to simple taps, the Trackpad Pro detects different levels of force, recognizes gestures, and delivers a consistent zero-latency response across its entire surface.—
Maryna Holovnova,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
-
And there's always Google Translate and hand gestures to get you through.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Trade discussions dominated those meetings, but there were signs of growing tensions over Beijing’s surging conventional and nuclear arsenal.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Thanks to their thoughtful preservation efforts, signs of the past remain.—
Mel Studach,
Architectural Digest,
6 Nov. 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 14 Nov. 2025.
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