symbolic gesture

noun

: an act that has no purpose or effect other than to show support, respect, etc.
The president's visit was mainly a symbolic gesture.

Examples of symbolic gesture in a Sentence

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But that is a largely symbolic gesture, because the strait remains closed. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 4 May 2026 The symbolic gesture followed McCartney’s stint as the show’s final interviewee as well as last musical performer, in which the host asked him to share stories about his first visit to the theater 62 years ago. — Chris Willman, Variety, 22 May 2026 In a symbolic gesture, Senate Republicans took another vote on the Iran war Wednesday night, flipping two senators Trump singled out at the lunch for siding with Democrats. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 25 June 2026 In a symbolic gesture reflecting its name, the final beam to be hoisted into the under-construction Legacy Middle School building in Elgin was signed Wednesday by some of the students who will be going there next year. — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for symbolic gesture

Rhymes for symbolic gesture

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Browse Nearby Words

symbolic equation
symbolic gesture
symbolic language
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Cite this Entry

“Symbolic gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbolic%20gesture. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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