variants
or signalling
as in motioning
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
Relevance
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 signaling
In response, most Republican leaders were silent, signaling their willingness to be enablers, if not allies.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
Exosomes contain growth factors, in addition to other cell-signaling molecules like proteases (MMPs), inflammatory cytokines, mRNA, miRNA, mitochondrial DNA and genomic DNA.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
And it’s been hard lately not to notice the trend toward more flagrant male transgression out in the open—more performative vice signaling among some of the most powerful people in the world.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
Ells’ true innovation was turning eating at Chipotle into a virtue-signaling experience.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The message drives a grieving John to Carolyn’s East Village apartment, where the pair share their first kiss — signaling the official beginning of their romance at the end of that third episode.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
This key moment in football, the moment of celebration, the moment that matters so much because this sport averages fewer than three goals a game, is now not confirmed by the ball hitting the net — not in the VAR era — or even by the referee signalling for a goal.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
With these actions, the United States government is signaling to innovators, to investors, and to the world that it is no longer committed to leading in vaccine science.
—Richard Hughes Iv, STAT, 18 Feb. 2026
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday opted for a reassuring, though prodding, stance toward NATO partners at the Munich Security Conference, signaling the United States still views Europe as an essential ally.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 14 Feb. 2026
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
Exosomes contain growth factors, in addition to other cell-signaling molecules like proteases (MMPs), inflammatory cytokines, mRNA, miRNA, mitochondrial DNA and genomic DNA.
—Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
And it’s been hard lately not to notice the trend toward more flagrant male transgression out in the open—more performative vice signaling among some of the most powerful people in the world.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
Ells’ true innovation was turning eating at Chipotle into a virtue-signaling experience.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The message drives a grieving John to Carolyn’s East Village apartment, where the pair share their first kiss — signaling the official beginning of their romance at the end of that third episode.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
This key moment in football, the moment of celebration, the moment that matters so much because this sport averages fewer than three goals a game, is now not confirmed by the ball hitting the net — not in the VAR era — or even by the referee signalling for a goal.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
With these actions, the United States government is signaling to innovators, to investors, and to the world that it is no longer committed to leading in vaccine science.
—Richard Hughes Iv, STAT, 18 Feb. 2026
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday opted for a reassuring, though prodding, stance toward NATO partners at the Munich Security Conference, signaling the United States still views Europe as an essential ally.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signaling
Verb
-
With the game well out of reach and 10 seconds to play, Tre White dunked — despite Self motioning from the sideline to dribble it out.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Good appears to be motioning to them with her hands.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Andrew and Sarah waving at the camera prior to departing for Balmoral to spend their summer holiday there.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
To his credit, Elon didn’t stop waving red flags.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Everyone sat down around a fire pit, except for Land, who stood, face lit from below, gesturing and swaying.—
James Duesterberg,
New Yorker,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Forward Justin Cross tapped his head, gesturing that the dunk was on the defender’s head.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Signaling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signaling. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
