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
Deepti Hajela, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Physicians work those hours, and we are trained to override the bodily signals that would tell us to stop.
—Frances Mei Hardin, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
The platform is designed to detect and interpret potential scam signals across digital conversations, offering users real-time insight into whether a message may be misleading or manipulative.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 14 May 2026
All these signals go to a cellphone, smart watch, or tablet, and area analyzed by machine learning, Northwestern said.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Why Birth Control Can Mask the Transition One reason perimenopause is so hard to pin down is that hormonal birth control can quietly cover up the early signals.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
Every now and then, the hunter’s headphones would ping, registering a metallic hit below ground; though the vast majority of those signals were inconsequential, identifying only bits of scrap iron or old lead bullets.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 8 May 2026
Instead, braking commands now travel through electric signals and software, marking a major shift in how modern cars slow down and stop.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
All throughout the Universe, different types of signals propagate.
—Big Think, 7 May 2026
Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Remove anything that signals scarcity thinking or desperation energy.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
The shift, according to the NYT, signals the instrumentalization of the artwork for political propaganda and the spreading of evangelical viewpoints opposed to the separation of church and state.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 15 May 2026
Enzo holds his knees close to his body, a protective position that visually signals discomfort, while Anthony lays down with legs stretched taking space with uncaring easy.
—Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
Research shows hearing your own name immediately captures your attention and signals a shift in the conversation.
—Jessica Chen, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Conditions change quickly, signals conflict with each other, and weak assumptions tend to get exposed without much delay.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Ultimately, the shift toward a more disciplined beauty playbook signals a maturation of the industry where financial rigor and creative innovation must coexist.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 8 May 2026
The lack of male students across nursing schools signals a systemic workforce challenge and highlights an urgent need to scale up efforts to recruit and retain men in nursing practice, education, and research.
—Nicholas A. Giordano, STAT, 8 May 2026
Noun
When leaders send clear, honest signals, people can calibrate in the face of threat.
—Deepti Hajela, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Physicians work those hours, and we are trained to override the bodily signals that would tell us to stop.
—Frances Mei Hardin, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
The platform is designed to detect and interpret potential scam signals across digital conversations, offering users real-time insight into whether a message may be misleading or manipulative.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 14 May 2026
All these signals go to a cellphone, smart watch, or tablet, and area analyzed by machine learning, Northwestern said.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Why Birth Control Can Mask the Transition One reason perimenopause is so hard to pin down is that hormonal birth control can quietly cover up the early signals.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
Every now and then, the hunter’s headphones would ping, registering a metallic hit below ground; though the vast majority of those signals were inconsequential, identifying only bits of scrap iron or old lead bullets.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 8 May 2026
Instead, braking commands now travel through electric signals and software, marking a major shift in how modern cars slow down and stop.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
All throughout the Universe, different types of signals propagate.
—Big Think, 7 May 2026
Verb
But Friday’s announcement signals the health system’s intent to more aggressively grow its academic programs.
—Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Remove anything that signals scarcity thinking or desperation energy.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
The shift, according to the NYT, signals the instrumentalization of the artwork for political propaganda and the spreading of evangelical viewpoints opposed to the separation of church and state.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 15 May 2026
Enzo holds his knees close to his body, a protective position that visually signals discomfort, while Anthony lays down with legs stretched taking space with uncaring easy.
—Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
Research shows hearing your own name immediately captures your attention and signals a shift in the conversation.
—Jessica Chen, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Conditions change quickly, signals conflict with each other, and weak assumptions tend to get exposed without much delay.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 8 May 2026
Ultimately, the shift toward a more disciplined beauty playbook signals a maturation of the industry where financial rigor and creative innovation must coexist.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 8 May 2026
The lack of male students across nursing schools signals a systemic workforce challenge and highlights an urgent need to scale up efforts to recruit and retain men in nursing practice, education, and research.
—Nicholas A. Giordano, STAT, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signals
Noun
-
To my eye, apart from more Masters flags, the setting has hardly changed since my parents were picking up the tab.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
10 May 2026
-
Mamdani announced that on Saturday the Big Apple would lower flags to half-mast at all municipal buildings to honor Gresham.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Yet such gestures failed to meet the scale of the problem.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Take Vacheron’s spectacular La Quête du Temps clock, featuring an automaton astronomer performing 144 distinct gestures orchestrated through 158 cams and a mechanical memory system linked to the clock.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
But there are clear signs that Miller has not backed away from his own views on immigration—including on H-2B visas.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
-
And that’s evident in so many facets in museums on Route 66, in neon signs and galleries, on menus that have been there, operating for decades and decades.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Prime Minister-elect Peter Magyar waves a Hungarian flag after delivering his victory speech in Budapest on Sunday.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
19 Apr. 2026
-
At the end of the video, Williams proposes to Laufey as her guest stars watch on with vacant expressions — even as the Grammy winner waves her hands in front of their faces.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Signals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signals. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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