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
Rob Stein, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
This protein plays a role in transmitting pulses from cochlear cells within the ear to nearby nerves, which carry the signals on to the brain.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
Other astronomers around the globe noticed intriguing signals too, and by working together, the team could start to understand this system.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2026
In The Drama, those signals are there.
—Nicole Hockley, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Common therapies and treatments include Botox injections, which block nerve signals that cause spasms; voice therapy, which is often paired with Botox; and surgical options.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Distraction, mixed signals and loving attention more than intimacy are all very Venus in Gemini.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Now, as members adjust to the Rewards revamp, Starbucks is observing early signals that customers are leaning in to benefit from the loyalty program's new deals.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
The cameras in the operations centers mostly have high-definition signals displayed on the big monitors, but the size of the files for those signals is enormous and a big burden if CDOT kept the visuals.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Trista Kurniawan, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
The announcement signals a potential diplomatic breakthrough after the prospect of further peace negotiations between the warring powers appeared to stall out earlier this week.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
While a yellow placard signals two or more major violations.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
april 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Reiten’s arrival signals a reunion with her former Chelsea teammates, defender Jess Carter and goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Walmart has committed nearly $1 billion in skills training through 2026 and has already put more than 1 million associates through VR simulations of customer service scenarios—an investment that signals how much employers can no longer take baseline service behaviors for granted.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Naples has never been known for pushing aesthetic boundaries, but the crowd here signals a shift.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
That speed signals urgency in countering evolving maritime threats.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
Still, the memo signals the city has not abandoned affordable housing as a goal.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
Doctors would infuse a virus into her son's ears carrying a gene for a protein called otoferlin, which Travis was missing, hopefully restoring the ability of his brain to receive signals from his ears.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
This protein plays a role in transmitting pulses from cochlear cells within the ear to nearby nerves, which carry the signals on to the brain.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
Other astronomers around the globe noticed intriguing signals too, and by working together, the team could start to understand this system.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2026
In The Drama, those signals are there.
—Nicole Hockley, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Common therapies and treatments include Botox injections, which block nerve signals that cause spasms; voice therapy, which is often paired with Botox; and surgical options.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Distraction, mixed signals and loving attention more than intimacy are all very Venus in Gemini.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
Now, as members adjust to the Rewards revamp, Starbucks is observing early signals that customers are leaning in to benefit from the loyalty program's new deals.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
The cameras in the operations centers mostly have high-definition signals displayed on the big monitors, but the size of the files for those signals is enormous and a big burden if CDOT kept the visuals.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
These artists’ success signals a growing appetite abroad for Asian entertainment – most evident in the popularity of K-pop, with megastar groups like BTS and Blackpink drawing in Western audiences while blending contemporary beats with traditional Korean culture.
—Trista Kurniawan, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
The announcement signals a potential diplomatic breakthrough after the prospect of further peace negotiations between the warring powers appeared to stall out earlier this week.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
While a yellow placard signals two or more major violations.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
april 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Reiten’s arrival signals a reunion with her former Chelsea teammates, defender Jess Carter and goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Walmart has committed nearly $1 billion in skills training through 2026 and has already put more than 1 million associates through VR simulations of customer service scenarios—an investment that signals how much employers can no longer take baseline service behaviors for granted.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
Naples has never been known for pushing aesthetic boundaries, but the crowd here signals a shift.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
That speed signals urgency in countering evolving maritime threats.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026
Still, the memo signals the city has not abandoned affordable housing as a goal.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signals
Noun
-
To help homeowners and contractors dig safely, utility companies and municipalities will mark the locations of the lines with colored flags or nontoxic spray paint.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency reported two more tankers, sailing under the flags of Botswana and Angola, were forced to turn back by Iran’s forces on Sunday.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The show gestures at the classic targets of old-timey sexism, small-mindedness, and nativism—much of it embodied by Gasteyer’s scheming character—but only in the safest possible ways.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Such gestures have not stopped local lawmakers from considering statewide bans on data center development.—
Jeremy Hsu,
ArsTechnica,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But there are already signs that her expulsion would have some bipartisan support.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Markets, meanwhile, showed signs of fatigue.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 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 26 Apr. 2026.
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