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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gesture
Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 15 May 2026
In workshops, Kira often points to the waste created by disposable gift wrap, using the example to frame furoshiki as a practical alternative rather than an abstract environmental gesture.
—Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
Amna Subhan, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
After the Golden Knights scored, Quenneville reached over a couple of his players on the bench and gestured toward the officials in an irate manner.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Noun
First, consider adopting small gestures of gratitude.
—Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 15 May 2026
In workshops, Kira often points to the waste created by disposable gift wrap, using the example to frame furoshiki as a practical alternative rather than an abstract environmental gesture.
—Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
Verb
The outlook appeared so bleak that Alexey Miranchuk gestured to the heavens and said, if the team could acquire help from a higher power and get a road win, maybe the ship could be steered in the right direction.
—Amna Subhan, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
After the Golden Knights scored, Quenneville reached over a couple of his players on the bench and gestured toward the officials in an irate manner.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
Noun
-
He’s gone from being a disposable asset in Vegas, which shipped him to Toronto in a sign-and-trade for Mitch Marner on July 1, to being coveted in Colorado at the trade deadline when the Avs acquired him to be their third-line center.—
Nate Peterson,
Denver Post,
19 May 2026
-
The initial investigation into the billionaire’s death by Spanish authorities was closed in January 2025, and deemed an accident with no signs of any criminal wrongdoing.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Photograph courtesy Jennifer Hulse Israel seized control of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank during the Six-Day War, in 1967.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
For her final day of engagements in the area, Middleton wore a cream pleated Jenny Packham skirt, Blazé Milano pin-stripe blazer and belt, as well as Alicia flats in taupe and black courtesy of designer Camilla Elphick.—
Stefania Saltalamacchia,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Another incident identified by police allegedly occurred on March 27, when Berrios-Otero allegedly motioned for a 4-year-old child to sit on his lap and directed him to get a blanket, according to the warrant affidavits.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
-
Referee Kelly Sutherland immediately ruled it a legal goal and motioned to say Hunt pushed the Avs captain into his own goalie.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Instead, hormone signals and the glands that produce them are part of a communication system that organises every cell, turning collections of independently functioning cells, tissues and organs into an interconnected human body.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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The technique, which works by bouncing signals onto qubits and effectively listening for their echoes, runs 13,000 times faster on Willow than an equivalent algorithm would on the best classical supercomputer.—
Zeeya Merali,
Scientific American,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The goldendoodle’s shoulder tap felt almost human in its politeness, and the woman’s response — smiling, breaking off a piece and blowing on it — felt effortlessly warm.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
-
When talking to your peers, politeness is of paramount importance.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Now, Hilton rarely deviates from her signature look, of which long, perfectly curled or waved blonde hair is a key element.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
18 May 2026
-
After landing her final move, Liu waved and bowed to each corner of the arena, leaving no section without attention.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Changing positions regularly, alternating tasks and taking short breaks every 20 to 30 minutes helps reduce cumulative strain before fatigue begins affecting posture and technique.—
Dr. Kęstutis Braziulis,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
-
That fear is central to Poland’s security posture.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Seasonal cleaning is a divisive ritual—one that homeowners, designers, and cleaning experts either swear by or happily skip.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
16 May 2026
-
Mornings include movement, journaling and wellness rituals, followed by workshops on focus and online income streams.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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