1
as in signs
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 courtesies
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
as in motions
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
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Recent Examples of gestures
Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
This generally eventuates into a series of back and forth hand gestures, in many cases accompanied by each person questioning the other’s heritage and legitimacy.
—Oc Register, 18 May 2026
In terms of relationships, positivity means those little fun, romantic gestures.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026
Venus in Cancer is here to remind you that love isn’t always about the grand, over-the-top gestures.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Touch gestures and the Search box also aren’t supported.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
First, consider adopting small gestures of gratitude.
—Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Gone were the warm gestures and pats.
—Katherine Doyle, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Take Vacheron’s spectacular La Quête du Temps clock, featuring an automaton astronomer performing 144 distinct gestures orchestrated through 158 cams and a mechanical memory system linked to the clock.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 11 May 2026
Adam Beam, AJC.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
The 15 Pro display supports the intuitive features of the espressoFlow software, which is available as a free download and provides extra features like the Glide feature and touch gestures when used with macOS or Windows.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
This generally eventuates into a series of back and forth hand gestures, in many cases accompanied by each person questioning the other’s heritage and legitimacy.
—Oc Register, 18 May 2026
In terms of relationships, positivity means those little fun, romantic gestures.
—Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026
Venus in Cancer is here to remind you that love isn’t always about the grand, over-the-top gestures.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Touch gestures and the Search box also aren’t supported.
—Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 18 May 2026
First, consider adopting small gestures of gratitude.
—Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Gone were the warm gestures and pats.
—Katherine Doyle, NBC news, 14 May 2026
Take Vacheron’s spectacular La Quête du Temps clock, featuring an automaton astronomer performing 144 distinct gestures orchestrated through 158 cams and a mechanical memory system linked to the clock.
—Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 11 May 2026
Verb
Health care executive Rick Jackson gestures to a supporter while qualifying to run for governor at the Georgia state Capitol last month.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gestures
Noun
-
The bones turned out to belong to an elderly male dingo, with worn teeth and possible signs of arthritis.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 May 2026
-
None of these reactions are character flaws—just signs that the burden of confidentiality might be starting to affect your leadership bandwidth.—
ByMike McIsaac CPA,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Small courtesies keep big efforts moving forward.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
With both courtesies and catastrophes refusing to conform, the canton’s school board, publishers, and clergy were forced to produce multiple editions of primers, textbooks, and catechisms; sometimes five parallel print runs were needed for a population the size of a town.—
Simon Akam,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
But on a Sunday morning in July 1595, the groan of the heavy wooden door startled him from his gesticulations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Mar. 2026
-
There was a rush of gesticulations, with Greenberg speaking in English.—
Robert Sullivan,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Prime Minister-elect Peter Magyar waves a Hungarian flag after delivering his victory speech in Budapest on Sunday.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
19 Apr. 2026
-
At the end of the video, Williams proposes to Laufey as her guest stars watch on with vacant expressions — even as the Grammy winner waves her hands in front of their faces.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Parallel statements from the US and China after their leaders’ met Thursday exposed sharp divides in their foreign policy postures.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
-
The Secret Service said enhanced security postures remain in effect on and around the White House complex due to the state visit.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
When leaders send clear, honest signals, people can calibrate in the face of threat.—
Deepti Hajela,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
Physicians work those hours, and we are trained to override the bodily signals that would tell us to stop.—
Frances Mei Hardin,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gestures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gestures. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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