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
Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
They are increasingly treated as ideological signals and political risks.
—Jacki Karsh, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026
These optical spikes move through photonic circuits much faster than electrical signals.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
Chips are typically connected to a base layer with layers of copper to allow the chips to send electrical signals to larger systems, like circuit boards.
—Jordan Novet,katie Tarasov, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
The same phenomenon could occur in addictions, since the drugs work by suppressing the reward signals in the brain; if the drugs are no longer present, those craving signals could return.
—Alice Park, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
One explanation is that piracy signals where trade routes are both vulnerable and valuable.
—Dylan Spencer, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
Mary Lavin has a particular skill in making the casual moment or the random detail pull in energy towards itself, remain true and modest but manage to send out signals.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
The British sportswear brand will deploy Checkpoint’s ItemOptix platform across its Sports Fashion Group stores, beginning in Europe, as part of a broader push to improve stock accuracy, replenishment signals and on-shelf availability.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 26 Feb. 2026
Erica Sloan, SELF, 6 Mar. 2026
Analyst Keith Bachman also hiked his price target to $97 from $83, which signals upside of 22%.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
While a yellow placard signals two or more major violations.
—Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
An evacuation warning signals a potential threat to life or property.
—Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Kurt's key takeaways Microsoft's AI content verification plan signals that the industry understands the urgency.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The quick succession of ownership changes signals a new chapter for the east London club.
—Ryan Brennan
march 5, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Some families have expressed strong concerns and are considering other districts, and that alone signals the need for ongoing review and responsiveness.
—Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The family, which has ruled North Korea since its founding in 1948, signals successors well in advance.
—Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
Beirich, the extremism researcher, said the signals from the highest ranks of the Republican party from the White House — including social media posts echoing white supremacists messages — are being heard across the party.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
They are increasingly treated as ideological signals and political risks.
—Jacki Karsh, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026
These optical spikes move through photonic circuits much faster than electrical signals.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
Chips are typically connected to a base layer with layers of copper to allow the chips to send electrical signals to larger systems, like circuit boards.
—Jordan Novet,katie Tarasov, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
The same phenomenon could occur in addictions, since the drugs work by suppressing the reward signals in the brain; if the drugs are no longer present, those craving signals could return.
—Alice Park, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
One explanation is that piracy signals where trade routes are both vulnerable and valuable.
—Dylan Spencer, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
Mary Lavin has a particular skill in making the casual moment or the random detail pull in energy towards itself, remain true and modest but manage to send out signals.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
The British sportswear brand will deploy Checkpoint’s ItemOptix platform across its Sports Fashion Group stores, beginning in Europe, as part of a broader push to improve stock accuracy, replenishment signals and on-shelf availability.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
Outside of these scenarios, taking melatonin may not have as much upside—your brain is already making the melatonin that signals sleepy time each evening, and adding more simply presses the same button.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 6 Mar. 2026
Analyst Keith Bachman also hiked his price target to $97 from $83, which signals upside of 22%.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026
While a yellow placard signals two or more major violations.
—Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026
An evacuation warning signals a potential threat to life or property.
—Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
Kurt's key takeaways Microsoft's AI content verification plan signals that the industry understands the urgency.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The quick succession of ownership changes signals a new chapter for the east London club.
—Ryan Brennan
march 5, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
Some families have expressed strong concerns and are considering other districts, and that alone signals the need for ongoing review and responsiveness.
—Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The family, which has ruled North Korea since its founding in 1948, signals successors well in advance.
—Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signals
Noun
-
White nationalists at Charlottesville marched hoisting Roman flags, and far-right internet personalities adopted Roman pseudonyms.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The flags of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union ahead of the Group of Seven (G-7) Leaders' Summit in Banff, Alberta, Canada, on Saturday, June 14, 2025.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The moodier cousin to the Courbe, the Onirique table lamp in alabaster gestures to Gilded Age interiors, opulent libraries, and museum lobbies.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Thankfully all the usual multi-touch gestures remain present.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Based on the appointment of the late supreme leader’s son as successor, there are no clear signs of an imminent regime change in Iran.—
Amena Bakr,
semafor.com,
9 Mar. 2026
-
For months now, real-estate developer Michael Shvo has been insisting that everything is just fine, despite troubling signs at his portfolio of trophy properties.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Every now and again, a brand-new book waves its knowing hand.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Dancer Natalie Reid approaches to take the barstool beside her, but Swift waves her away because the seat is reserved for her stone.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Signals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signals. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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