signal 1 of 3

1
as in flag
an object intended to give public notice or warning stop signs are signals for vehicles to come to a full stop—not suggestions for slowing down, as some drivers seem to think

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in gesture
a movement of the body or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea or feeling quietly waiting for the signal to advance

Synonyms & Similar Words

signal

2 of 3

verb

as in to motion
to direct or notify by a movement or gesture signaled the oncoming traffic to stop while the wrecked car was being towed away

Synonyms & Similar Words

signal

3 of 3

adjective

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 signal
Noun
In a sea of noise, prediction markets deliver clarity through a single, powerful signal: price. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025 This was the signal for the real fun, Maranville’s punch for the head missing its mark but striking Ivan on the knee. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
Verb
In addition, officials said Northwestern researchers have not received payments for National Institutes of Health grants since March, signaling that those funds have been frozen, despite no official word from the Trump administration. Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025 Groups affiliated with Musk spent $20 million this spring on the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, only for the liberal candidate to win -- signaling to some Republicans the limits of Musk's political pull. Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for signal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signal
Noun
  • Many of the supporters, who included a 12-year-old girl dressed as the president, donned pro-Trump t-shirts and other attire, waving American flags to catch the attention of passersby, some of whom slammed on their horns in solidarity.
    Shanzeh Ahmad, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
  • Images from the scene of the attack showed an Israeli flag on the ground.
    Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • Social media content featuring rude hand gestures was scrubbed from the internet.
    Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
  • Boxes and cylinders and prisms can no longer do that, and the lone remaining expressive gesture is to Go Weird, as architects strain for enough distinctiveness to produce a landmark.
    Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • According to the firm's statement, Sheil, 22, successfully motioned to dismiss three of Gifford's original claims in December 2024.
    Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 30 May 2025
  • Cora walked him back and held a brief meeting on the mound with all the infielders before motioning to the bullpen.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • The show has won two Emmys since: One in 2014 for outstanding interactive program and another in 2015 for outstanding creative achievement in interactive media.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 June 2025
  • The Chicago Bar Association’s award for outstanding lawyer is named in her honor.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • The inspector also cited four separate hand-washing violations, including sinks without soap or paper towels, one lacking a required sign and another used to store a sanitizer bucket.
    Zach Everson, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • The Dolphins offered a sign that his rehab was progressing positively in March, restructuring his contract to convert $9.7 million of his 2024 salary into a signing bonus.
    Cameron Priester, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Many of the supporters, who included a 12-year-old girl dressed as the president, donned pro-Trump t-shirts and other attire, waving American flags to catch the attention of passersby, some of whom slammed on their horns in solidarity.
    Shanzeh Ahmad, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
  • Jack Lang’s eulogy — beginning with a haunting photo (top) of Xana, waving a flag on a deserted pitch with her father looking on after his Barcelona side’s 2015 Champions League final victory — will do a good job of moving you to tears.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • Today, that distinguished tradition continues, with the distillery's current leadership or their cadre of seasoned master tasters personally vetting these casks.
    Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • It’s been a long time since Florida’s university system was put to such disgrace as the Board of Governors did Tuesday in rejecting the distinguished scholar Santa Ono as the lone finalist for president of the University of Florida.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Chapter One The Political Science major at Warren University was a prestigious murder weapon.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 5 June 2025
  • During his 16 years tenure as CEO, David and his team helped to elevate the already prestigious brand to become one of the top luxury wines in the world, expanding distribution to over 90 countries and increasing the value of the brand from an average of $200 to over $500 per bottle.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Signal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signal. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on signal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!