gesture 1 of 2

noun

ˈjes-chər How to pronounce gesture (audio)
Definition of gesturenext
1
as in sign
a movement of the body or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea or feeling a teenager who often shrugs her shoulders in a gesture of indifference

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in courtesy
an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners sent a handwritten thank-you note as a gesture of his gratitude

Synonyms & Similar Words

gesture

2 of 2

verb

as in to motion
to direct or notify by a movement or gesture the police officer gestured me to the side of the road to tell me my headlight was out

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 gesture
Noun
The gesture signals an order for complete silence, a search technique that emerged during the 1985 Mexico City earthquake and was later formalized by the Topos. — Fernanda Pesce, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 On Monday night, Contreras was ejected in the second inning after a check-swing strikeout prompted him to give a sarcastic ABS challenge gesture at the umpire, earning an instant boot. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
Chwalińska could not prevent Sawangkaew from leveling the set, and gestured towards her discomfort on multiple occasions. — Leon Imber, New York Times, 29 June 2026 Her closing argument gestured broadly toward supporting public education, tenants, and quality of life, without specifics that voters could hold onto. — Bradley Honan, New York Daily News, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
  1. sign
  2. courtesy
  3. motion
  4. signal
  5. politeness
  6. wave
  7. posture
  8. ritual
Noun
  • Indirect talks concluded last week without any sign of meaningful progress toward a lasting peace agreement.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 7 July 2026
  • Neptune goes retrograde in your sign today, and false confidence starts to dissipate!
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of sign
Noun
  • More than 30,000 complimentary Dasani water bottles will be distributed to fans entering through the First Base, Third Base and Left Field gates, courtesy of Liberty Coke Bottlers.
    — Eva Andersen, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • The statue’s creation is already underway courtesy of local sculptor Ben Victor.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026
Definition of courtesy
Verb
  • In security footage obtained by ABC 13, the officer, alleged to be Carrico, is seen motioning the woman to take a seat; the woman complies.
    — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of motion
Noun
  • What that translates to for audiences is better intelligibility — words that land rather than wash — and a cleaner overall mix, because the engineer is no longer spending mental and technical energy fighting unwanted signal at the source.
    — Dave Brooks, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • That said, the court's refusal to intervene at this point is at least a tentative signal that favors the law.
    — Nina Totenberg, NPR, 6 July 2026
Definition of signal
Noun
  • The board member who survives every conversation about them has been preserved not by respect but by politeness.
    — Audrey Russo, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • Good bathroom etiquette here is less about politeness than safety, since a crowded aisle is something the crew would rather avoid.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
Definition of politeness
Verb
  • Some waving flags, others wiping away tears, thousands have gathered in Tehran for the funeral of Iran’s former supreme leader.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • For 90 minutes, supporters waved flags, drummed, danced, and sang, but by the end of the evening the soccer scoreline mattered far less than what unfolded in the crowd.
    — Latif Love July 4, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
Definition of wave
Noun
  • The tool, developed by independent AI engineer Luke Geel, analyzes past results and players’ activity—from posture to blink rate—spotting connections that might be imperceptible to the average viewer but visible to top pros.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 3 July 2026
  • Beyond brain tumors, other advances across neuroscience, like corrective spine surgery, have allowed doctors to restore posture and mobility in patients with severe spinal deformities.
    — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of posture
Noun
  • That the ritual continues Saturday after Saturday, year after year, is its own kind of small miracle.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Supporters argue that the gatherings represent a form of devotion untethered from rigid rituals and the gatekeeping normally associated with temples or religious processions.
    — Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of ritual

Browse Nearby Words

gestural
gesture
gestured
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Cite this Entry

“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gesture

Nglish: Translation of gesture for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gesture

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