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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Recent Examples of signals
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
Expanding on the data signals ownership while adding value to the group.
—Chris Lipp, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
As the term implies, signals intelligence involves the detection and decryption of electromagnetic signals — adversary communications, for example, or emissions from missiles or other weapons systems.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Cosmic ray experiments rely on accurate production models to interpret ultrahigh-energy signals from space, while dark matter detectors hunting rare antideuterons must distinguish them from backgrounds of interactions.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026
Each regional manager is effectively responsible for thousands of micro-decisions per week, informed by hundreds of reports, dashboards, audits, reviews, and operational signals.
—Michael Wystrach, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Faced with uncertainty, organizations debate and wait for clearer signals—precisely when action matters most.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Offtake agreements like Inditex’s agreement with Ambercycle in 2023 and H&M Group’s partnerships with Syre in 2024 signals to the financiers and other brands that an innovation has potential.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 22 Jan. 2026
Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
While a yellow placard signals two or more major violations, these are typically corrected or mitigated during the inspection, according to the Sacramento County Retail Food Inspection Guide.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
january 30, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The absence of Latina audition opportunities, and the choice to replace a clearly Latina character with a non-Latina actress, signals a broader, ongoing erasure of our community from the stories that define our culture.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 30 Jan. 2026
In a world where physical video games are swiftly becoming antiquated, the move signals the company’s desire to modernize.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Across the banking and fintech ecosystem, Data Privacy Week now signals how innovation will be judged going forward—not as a checklist, but as a test of whether privacy and accountability are built into how products scale.
—Pam Kaur, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
If levels of a hormone get too high, the body signals to slow or stop production.
—Rachel Reiff Ellis, SELF, 23 Jan. 2026
The move signals the FTC’s heightened interest in an industry undergoing rapid change, where college athletes have expanded opportunities to earn compensation and where, unlike in pro sports, agents aren’t licensed by a players’ union.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Eating sugar tells the brain to release more of the hormone insulin that decreases glucose levels, more of the hunger hormone ghrelin, and less of the hormone leptin that signals fullness.
—Ashley Olivine, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
Manpreet Gill, regional chief investment officer for Europe, Africa and the Middle East at Standard Chartered, said the bank’s proprietary signals show both metals in overbought territory.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
Expanding on the data signals ownership while adding value to the group.
—Chris Lipp, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
As the term implies, signals intelligence involves the detection and decryption of electromagnetic signals — adversary communications, for example, or emissions from missiles or other weapons systems.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Cosmic ray experiments rely on accurate production models to interpret ultrahigh-energy signals from space, while dark matter detectors hunting rare antideuterons must distinguish them from backgrounds of interactions.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026
Each regional manager is effectively responsible for thousands of micro-decisions per week, informed by hundreds of reports, dashboards, audits, reviews, and operational signals.
—Michael Wystrach, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Faced with uncertainty, organizations debate and wait for clearer signals—precisely when action matters most.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Offtake agreements like Inditex’s agreement with Ambercycle in 2023 and H&M Group’s partnerships with Syre in 2024 signals to the financiers and other brands that an innovation has potential.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
The music signals the end of their conversation and the start of a dance between the attendees of the ball, and continues as Benedict takes Sophie to the private terrace to teach her how to dance.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
While a yellow placard signals two or more major violations, these are typically corrected or mitigated during the inspection, according to the Sacramento County Retail Food Inspection Guide.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
january 30, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The absence of Latina audition opportunities, and the choice to replace a clearly Latina character with a non-Latina actress, signals a broader, ongoing erasure of our community from the stories that define our culture.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 30 Jan. 2026
In a world where physical video games are swiftly becoming antiquated, the move signals the company’s desire to modernize.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Across the banking and fintech ecosystem, Data Privacy Week now signals how innovation will be judged going forward—not as a checklist, but as a test of whether privacy and accountability are built into how products scale.
—Pam Kaur, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
If levels of a hormone get too high, the body signals to slow or stop production.
—Rachel Reiff Ellis, SELF, 23 Jan. 2026
The move signals the FTC’s heightened interest in an industry undergoing rapid change, where college athletes have expanded opportunities to earn compensation and where, unlike in pro sports, agents aren’t licensed by a players’ union.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Eating sugar tells the brain to release more of the hormone insulin that decreases glucose levels, more of the hunger hormone ghrelin, and less of the hormone leptin that signals fullness.
—Ashley Olivine, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signals
Noun
-
Many people held up trans flags calling to protect trans rights and provide equality for all people under the law.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Jan. 2026
-
By March 2024, the state had already spent $3 million reimbursing ranchers for damages caused by wolves throughout the northern part of the state, as well as the cost of investing in nonlethal deterrents to keep them away, such as fencing, flags and other methods.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
From arrival to the smallest gestures, everything flows naturally, guided by near-invisible discretion, care that is felt rather than seen.—
María Casbas,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Jan. 2026
-
But Crockett puts equal value on the small gestures.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The girls seemed to be having a great time during these performances, interacting with fans by reacting to their costumes and signs, and creating a Candybong wave.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Many marchers also referenced the killing of Renee Nicole Good, with signs honoring both victims and calling for accountability.—
Eva Andersen,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The agent who appeared to be de-escalating a separate agent turns attention to the agent deploying pepper spray and waves him down.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Altman almost waves away these grim tolls as an inevitable consequence of the product’s popularity.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Signals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signals. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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