signals 1 of 2

plural of signal
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

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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

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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

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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
Potential applications include wearable devices monitoring movement and physiological signals. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026 One official reported positive signals coming from both sides. — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026 Whites are more or less spot-on with all three signals, and no colors show any significant tint. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026 The surge in stocks with a negative beta dovetails with other unusual market signals. — Deena Zaidi,nick Wells, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026 The distraction and the absence of warning signals also led to the boy’s accidental death. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026 Social platforms have industrialized this process by providing constant signals about how others respond to us. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026 Seated in chairs, the group’s attire suggests a corporate off-site — athleisure, slacks, summer dresses — but the electricity in the air signals something different is afoot. — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026 Brian Jack’s Iowa stop signals his growing role in GOP politics. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Verb
In This Article White mold on mulch is a natural process that rarely signals a serious problem and can benefit your soil. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 26 Sep. 2026 Axon’s average price target, meanwhile, signals a gain of more than 62%. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026 Using the code signals a potential hijacking or cockpit intrusion to air traffic control and law enforcement. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026 For an increasing number of young people, nothing signals your values like a willingness to kill others for them. — Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026 The finding signals that Democratic candidates are more likely to benefit from rural Republicans staying home this November than from them voting across party lines in large numbers. — Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026 Boring Company signals its interest TBC would be excited and honored to build this massive infrastructure project. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026 Signing Mbappé, who currently plays forward for Real Madrid, signals that On is looking to further encroach into its larger competitors’ territory. — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026 Most retention strategies are activated only after a customer signals intent to cancel or stops paying and just moves on. — Dr. Vasudeva Akula, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signals
Noun
  • In Caracas, hundreds of activists in sky blue shirts — the color of Machado’s Vente Venezuela party — rode motorcycles and drove through the capital’s main avenues, honking their horns and waving Venezuelan flags.
    — Clyburn Saint John, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Deerwester had planted 78 flags in a grassy island at the entrance to the park’s campground to show where to plant the grass.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But, having offered these initial glimpses, Haghighi’s camera gets to work, macrophotographically zeroing in on small groups and on individual faces and gestures.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The glasses can also function as a gaming console, Meta said, and there will be more than 75 games at launch that users can play solely with hand gestures.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Luz, the group’s search leader and spokesperson for the day, immediately motions with her hand for the group to drive forward.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • In years past, department statistics showed at least a third of all police shootings involved someone with obvious signs of emotional distress.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Presuming Ausar signs, Miami will have 21 players under contract, the most a team can carry during training camp.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Picture a doorman who checks your ID with great care, then waves you into any apartment in the building.
    — Julian Durand, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The Spa At the beach-level spa, the windows were left wide open during my 60-minute Salt Air Reset massage, making all-natural birdsong and waves the soundtrack of my treatment.
    — Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Signals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signals. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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