as in indicative
indicating something
his tendency to use weasel words is seen as a signifying character trait
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in meaning
to be of importance
never mind, as the color of the room doesn't signify in the least
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in denoting
to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind
the symbol failed to signify anything to me—until I realized that it was upside down
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in indicating
to serve as a sign or symptom of
the opening of the new mall signifies the city's overdue emergence from economic depression
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of signifying
Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 11 June 2026
Spielberg thinks that his robust history with alien characters should at least give him a glimpse of something signifying aliens' actual existence.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026
When presented as a wall installation, the pages are transmuted into an object signifying nothing but the imitation of writing by a depersonalized other.
—Erika Landström, Artforum, 2 June 2026
Certainly there were luxe, strong visions of the wardrobe on the runway, but with hints of edge melded with signifying codes like the web, the interlock, the GG, the Flora, the bamboo, the bit and the Jackie.
—Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 17 May 2026
Pope Leo in December appointed Joliet Bishop Ronald Hicks as archbishop of New York, signifying a move to a more pastoral and missionary-inspired leadership in one of the largest archdiocese in the nation.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
At our wedding, my husband and I stood under a chuppah—a wedding canopy signifying the new home a Jewish couple will create together—that my mom crafted from a lace tablecloth her grandmother had sewn.
—Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
Though embedded in society, these young characters are Kaspar Hauser-like figures, spectrally isolated from the signifying world, forced to construct meaning for themselves, from the ground up.
—James Wood, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The mislabeling of President Andrew Jackson’s portrait is just one of the telltale signs signifying that some bills getting passed around in Greater Boston are movie props and not legal tender.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
The agency issued an El Niño Advisory on Thursday morning, signifying that Earth has crossed a key threshold into El Niño territory.
—Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 11 June 2026
Spielberg thinks that his robust history with alien characters should at least give him a glimpse of something signifying aliens' actual existence.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026
When presented as a wall installation, the pages are transmuted into an object signifying nothing but the imitation of writing by a depersonalized other.
—Erika Landström, Artforum, 2 June 2026
Certainly there were luxe, strong visions of the wardrobe on the runway, but with hints of edge melded with signifying codes like the web, the interlock, the GG, the Flora, the bamboo, the bit and the Jackie.
—Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 17 May 2026
Pope Leo in December appointed Joliet Bishop Ronald Hicks as archbishop of New York, signifying a move to a more pastoral and missionary-inspired leadership in one of the largest archdiocese in the nation.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
At our wedding, my husband and I stood under a chuppah—a wedding canopy signifying the new home a Jewish couple will create together—that my mom crafted from a lace tablecloth her grandmother had sewn.
—Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
Though embedded in society, these young characters are Kaspar Hauser-like figures, spectrally isolated from the signifying world, forced to construct meaning for themselves, from the ground up.
—James Wood, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The mislabeling of President Andrew Jackson’s portrait is just one of the telltale signs signifying that some bills getting passed around in Greater Boston are movie props and not legal tender.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signifying
Adjective
-
Past performance is not indicative of future results.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
-
Any prices or levels shown are either historical or purely indicative.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
The city's birth rate peaked in 2005, meaning those babies have already graduated high school.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Governor Kathy Hochul separately slashed the Manhattan shuttle-bus fare from $80 to $20, meaning two of the most powerful governors in the country spent the spring competing to subsidize FIFA, a private organization.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
In a scene shot backstage at a Pod Meets World live show, Friedle showed that Savage hadn't responded to a text from Friedle since April 2020, and his iMessages switched from blue to green, potentially denoting a block.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 June 2026
-
The serious message of change and time leaving behind culture and tradition is handled lightly but impactfully, denoting a location where time is both the hero and the villain.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Concurrently, the Federal Reserve maintained interest rates, indicating no immediate cuts given persistent high inflation and robust job growth.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
According to the Ouray County Sheriff's Office, there is no signage indicating that the pass is closed on the San Miguel side.—
Jennifer McRae,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
Despite setbacks, Trout remains a superstar, but his comments about Philly appear more reflective than predictive of a move.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
The officers, wearing reflective vests, were outside their patrol cars, which were set in place with flashing lights to detour motorists, police said.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
The Peptide-132 Hair Bond Repair Treatment uses a proprietary peptide complex, along with keratin, collagen, and amino acids, to repair damage, smooth frizz, and strengthen dry or overprocessed strands without weighing hair down.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
18 June 2026
-
But some opponents of the legislation, which starting July 1 will remove lower speed limits for trucks weighing more than 26,000 pounds, are raising safety concerns of their own.—
Rose Evans
Updated June 18,
Idaho Statesman,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Wells Fargo also kept a buy-equivalent rating and a $1,259-per-share price target, implying around 20% upside from Tuesday's late-session levels.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
23 June 2026
-
The research team also found troubling racial disparities when officers used language reserved for serious suspicions — like phrasing implying commands or accusations — when the reason for the stop was relatively minor.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
In the end, none of these delays may end up mattering.—
Los Angeles City Hall,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
Intent stops mattering once a figure can close a deal.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Signifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signifying. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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