Thesaurus results for SIGNALS

signals 1 of 2

noun

plural of signal

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

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

signals

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of signal

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

Noun

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 In future research, Drew said, the team would like to explore whether the brain is detecting these mechanical signals, and how physical conditions like obesity affect the hydraulic relationship between the abdominal muscles and the brain. —

Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026 Still, there are conflicting signals on the war’s impact on consumer confidence. —

J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 May 2026 All throughout the Universe, different types of signals propagate. —

Big Think, 7 May 2026 Other companies have sent similar signals. —

Camila Domonoske, NPR, 7 May 2026 The two resulting signals are subtracted from each other to deliver the pure EPR signal—no speed-limiting feedback loop needed. —

IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2026 The early signals out of other host cities point in a clear direction. —

David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026

Verb

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 Casting sexy, hunky Sharpe as Mozart — quite in contrast to the movie’s Tom Hulce, with his Harpo Marx energy and strange explosive giggle — signals that this is meant to be a Serious Take on the material. —

Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026 Any mismatch signals external contact or environmental interaction. —

Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 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 may 8, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026 This elliptical, enigmatic sentence, with its palindromic form (not unlike that of the Heart Sutra), signals the main thrust of Pau’s work, which employs structures of looping, repetition, and recursion to explore the space of ambiguity and uncertainty. —

Pauline J. Yao, Artforum, 2 May 2026 In a sign of supreme confidence, management raised full-year capex guidance to as much as $190 billion — a jaw-dropping figure that signals Alphabet is playing for generational dominance, not quarterly optics. —

Michael Khouw, CNBC, 1 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for signals

Noun

On election night, thousands celebrated in the streets, waving flags and blasting music written by Orbán’s outspoken critics.

— Alexandra Levy, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Major West Bank roads are lined with Israeli flags and slick new real estate billboards advertising affordable housing in settlements in Hebrew.

— Molly Hunter, NBC news, 2 May 2026