gesture 1 of 2

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

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2

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

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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 gesture
Noun
The architect is not one of those people who needs to speak loudly or make grand gestures to be heard. Time, Time, 1 July 2026 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
Verb
The launch tubes themselves don’t appear to be loaded, but the men carefully adjust the angle of the launcher, gesturing to each other with colored flags. Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 24 June 2026 In winning an argument (while preserving the relationship), the way to be heard is not to yell louder and gesture bigger but to take a breath and make room for silence. Joelle Jay, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
Noun
  • The housing bill, formally called the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, can still become law if Trump neither signs it nor vetoes it in 10 days, excluding Sundays.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • There are signs all around Preston Hollow opposing the project.
    J.D. Miles, CBS News, 30 June 2026
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
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
Noun
  • Swollen or tender nodes at the neck, armpits or groin signal that the body’s filtration sites are overloaded or actively fighting something, per Cleveland Clinic.
    Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2026
  • The website tracks only vessels with active transponders, meaning additional ships may have crossed with their signals switched off.
    Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 29 June 2026
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
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
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
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

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Cite this Entry

“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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