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
Jay Woods, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
Strange signals from an unknown origin, full of static, pop up on the radio.
—Will Borger, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Beyond clusters and bookmarks, Vision AI lets designers build custom signals by leveraging their own data.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2025
Campground networks, cellular signals and satellite visibility can all be unpredictable, so keep offline maps downloaded and a secondary way to connect when the unexpected happens.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Drug development will still take time, but there could be meaningful signals of change in pipeline strategies made within the next three to six months.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
The most common first sign of bladder cancer is blood in the urine, although a variety of other problems with urination may also serve as signals.
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2025
Researchers have shown that mild skin irritation can trigger fat cells to go into panic mode, sending signals to dormant follicles that can fuel new hair growth within weeks.
—New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
New Jersey has not elected a Republican governor in over a decade, and the state remains a linchpin of Democratic strength in the Northeast, but the close competition underscores growing political volatility and signals possible recalibrations in the national party strategies.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Nov. 2025
The brand name, Makette, a play on the French term for architectural prototype, signals the iterative approach.
—Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
The congressional staffer said the substance of the request signals a push for systematic change.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 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, 31 Oct. 2025
Still, the Lions signing Hutchinson (along with most of their young core) signals a franchise that, as wide receiver Jameson Williams puts it, has the talent to go back-to-back-to-back in Super Bowls.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Entertainment Weekly has compiled a calendar highlighting key 2025-2026 awards season dates, from the Oscars to the Golden Globes to the awards-positioning Sundance Film Festival, whose lineup typically signals which potential Academy Awards players might bubble up down the line.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
The announcement, made via social media ahead of a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, signals a potential reversal of a decades-long moratorium in place since 1992.
—Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
The act signals a shift in her power and her purpose.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
Are momentum indicators in the MACD and RSI flashing buy signals?
—Jay Woods, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
Strange signals from an unknown origin, full of static, pop up on the radio.
—Will Borger, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Beyond clusters and bookmarks, Vision AI lets designers build custom signals by leveraging their own data.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2025
Campground networks, cellular signals and satellite visibility can all be unpredictable, so keep offline maps downloaded and a secondary way to connect when the unexpected happens.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Drug development will still take time, but there could be meaningful signals of change in pipeline strategies made within the next three to six months.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
The most common first sign of bladder cancer is blood in the urine, although a variety of other problems with urination may also serve as signals.
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2025
Researchers have shown that mild skin irritation can trigger fat cells to go into panic mode, sending signals to dormant follicles that can fuel new hair growth within weeks.
—New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025
New Jersey has not elected a Republican governor in over a decade, and the state remains a linchpin of Democratic strength in the Northeast, but the close competition underscores growing political volatility and signals possible recalibrations in the national party strategies.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
Her move to Skims Beauty signals a powerful new era—one focused on inclusivity, innovation, and authenticity.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Nov. 2025
The brand name, Makette, a play on the French term for architectural prototype, signals the iterative approach.
—Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025
The congressional staffer said the substance of the request signals a push for systematic change.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 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, 31 Oct. 2025
Still, the Lions signing Hutchinson (along with most of their young core) signals a franchise that, as wide receiver Jameson Williams puts it, has the talent to go back-to-back-to-back in Super Bowls.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Entertainment Weekly has compiled a calendar highlighting key 2025-2026 awards season dates, from the Oscars to the Golden Globes to the awards-positioning Sundance Film Festival, whose lineup typically signals which potential Academy Awards players might bubble up down the line.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
The announcement, made via social media ahead of a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, signals a potential reversal of a decades-long moratorium in place since 1992.
—Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
The act signals a shift in her power and her purpose.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signals
Noun
-
The Wilton Rancheria banner was sent aloft in a mid-morning ceremony Monday joining the United States, California state and Elk Grove flags at Elk Grove City Hall, 8401 Laguna Palms Way.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Following her passing, flags will be flown at half-mast for 30 days at government offices, state enterprises, and educational institutions, and government officials have been asked to wear mourning attire for a year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The critical test is whether the trade imbalance is reset, and that will take a lot more than a few small gestures of goodwill.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
Freep.com,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Many carriers may also offer bonus miles, travel credits, and/or an upgrade voucher as gestures of goodwill.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
With unpredictable twists and emotions running high, this Halloween is especially chaotic, and Mutable signs — Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces — can't imagine what's in store.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Front-foot defending and slick attacking interplay, especially on the left flank, has been the blueprint over the past few seasons, but there are signs of evolution.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 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 Nov. 2025.
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