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
Relevance
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
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
Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 24 July 2025
Express Appreciation Small but thoughtful gestures of thanks and appreciation can be so important for that help make a brand or business successful.
—Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
Each of the photos in the graphic contains the Star of David, gesturing towards centuries-old antisemitic tropes about hidden Jewish conspiracies of influence and power.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Noun
The touch/gesture options to control the headphones mirror the controls for the Pixel Buds 1, but the new version responds faster and more reliably.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 24 July 2025
Express Appreciation Small but thoughtful gestures of thanks and appreciation can be so important for that help make a brand or business successful.
—Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Verb
Future studies should explore whether free-ranging elephants gesture intentionally to each other to communicate in the same way, researchers said.
—Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
Each of the photos in the graphic contains the Star of David, gesturing towards centuries-old antisemitic tropes about hidden Jewish conspiracies of influence and power.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
Noun
-
That the account belonging to the president of the United States is now posting to the entire world like a Facebook Uncle, though, is a troubling sign.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
22 July 2025
-
This could be a sign of a wider acceptance of cryptcurrency in the mainstream, some experts said.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
The Emmy Award-winning actress’ look came courtesy of Gucci’s 2026 cruise collection.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
1 Aug. 2025
-
In this image released by the U.S. Navy courtesy of Lockheed Martin, the Navy's variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35C, conducts a test flight on February 11, 2011, over Chesapeake Bay in the mid-Atlantic.—
Anna Commander
Robert Birsel
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
There also were other videos making the rounds on the internet in which Carrington and teammate Marina Mabrey were seen laughing later in the game, including Mabrey motioning with her fingers.—
Christine Brennan,
CNN Money,
6 July 2025
-
That is when a judge abruptly dismissed their case, despite the mother’s objections, because the judge sided with a DHS lawyer who motioned for the dismissal during the hearing, the complaint says.—
Julia Marnin,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
These micro-interactions are powerful signals of respect.—
London Business School,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Entrée was tantamount to a cosmic signal that one’s achievements — or notoriety — had resonated in the culture.—
Michael Grynbaum,
HollywoodReporter,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
For example, open your jacket and raise or wave your arms.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
-
Hicks also laughed at the hysteria while waving his hands as the bat entered the tower.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
Members of the House will also debate a measure that could clarify the federal government’s regulatory posture toward crypto, as well as another bill that would prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing its own digital asset.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
-
Many factors affect breathing during running, including your posture.—
Aubrey Bailey,
Verywell Health,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
By making this a daily ritual for babies, parents can reap the benefits as well.—
Michelle Stansbury,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
-
Wilson reportedly collapsed after being punched in the chest during a fraternity ritual.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
Stewart backed their rote enthusiasm with white-boy disco-dance moves and gesticulations modeled after Colbert’s clowning on his own show.—
Armond White,
National Review,
25 July 2025
-
Eli Mintz, a Yiddish-theatre star, played Uncle David with a high, wheedling voice, his hands a blur of gesticulation, and the Goldberg children were portrayed by Gentile actors, including the endearing Arlene (Fuzzy) McQuade as the preteen Rosalie, a studious girl with a sleek bob.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share