1
as in flags
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 gestures
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
as in motions
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
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of signals
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
Analysts cautioned that markets may be over-interpreting diplomatic signals that could quickly reverse.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Little signals cross wires around your plans.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
By measuring the change in frequency when the signals were bent in Jupiter's upper atmosphere, the ionosphere, scientists can calculate characteristics of the planet.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Boundary-setting signals self-management, prioritization, and professional maturity.
—Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
As the term implies, signals intelligence involves the detection and decryption of electromagnetic signals — adversary communications, for example, or emissions from missiles or other weapons systems.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Each regional manager is effectively responsible for thousands of micro-decisions per week, informed by hundreds of reports, dashboards, audits, reviews, and operational signals.
—Michael Wystrach, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Kristen Wisneski, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2026
At first glance, the message looks polished and uses official branding that signals credibility.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Though framed as a request for information, Levine’s letter signals that Florida’s campaign against accrediting bodies — once focused on general university oversight — is expanding into medicine, one of the most tightly regulated sectors of higher education.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
That pause in dopamine release signals a failure in reward arrival, a new kind of prediction error.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
According to Marissa Vallillo, director of marketing, this campaign signals the next chapter in the evolution of the household hair care brand.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
The clacking of mahjong tiles signals the Lunar New Year as much as firecrackers, red envelopes or rice cakes.
—Grace Hwang Lynch, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
The timeline signals an effort to transition humanoid robotics from the lab into real production environments, where reliability, autonomy, and economic viability matter far more than spectacle.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
The expansion of the fund, along with the launch of these residency opportunities, signals the country’s intent to further attract international talent and diversify its oil-reliant economy.
—Brittany Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
By tracking how those signals curved through Jupiter’s atmosphere, the team created detailed maps of temperature and density across the planet.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
Analysts cautioned that markets may be over-interpreting diplomatic signals that could quickly reverse.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2026
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Little signals cross wires around your plans.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
By measuring the change in frequency when the signals were bent in Jupiter's upper atmosphere, the ionosphere, scientists can calculate characteristics of the planet.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Boundary-setting signals self-management, prioritization, and professional maturity.
—Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
As the term implies, signals intelligence involves the detection and decryption of electromagnetic signals — adversary communications, for example, or emissions from missiles or other weapons systems.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Each regional manager is effectively responsible for thousands of micro-decisions per week, informed by hundreds of reports, dashboards, audits, reviews, and operational signals.
—Michael Wystrach, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
The single, part of her new EP, DON’T, also signals a clear evolution in her artistry.
—Kristen Wisneski, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2026
At first glance, the message looks polished and uses official branding that signals credibility.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Though framed as a request for information, Levine’s letter signals that Florida’s campaign against accrediting bodies — once focused on general university oversight — is expanding into medicine, one of the most tightly regulated sectors of higher education.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
That pause in dopamine release signals a failure in reward arrival, a new kind of prediction error.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
According to Marissa Vallillo, director of marketing, this campaign signals the next chapter in the evolution of the household hair care brand.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
The clacking of mahjong tiles signals the Lunar New Year as much as firecrackers, red envelopes or rice cakes.
—Grace Hwang Lynch, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
The timeline signals an effort to transition humanoid robotics from the lab into real production environments, where reliability, autonomy, and economic viability matter far more than spectacle.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
The expansion of the fund, along with the launch of these residency opportunities, signals the country’s intent to further attract international talent and diversify its oil-reliant economy.
—Brittany Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for signals
Noun
-
During the game, LGBTQI+ flags were flown by the Celtarras, the main Celta ultra group in the Fondo Norte section of Balaidos.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The flags are just one example of how much character lies within each corner of the city, from the water towers of Mount Airy to the riverside views of Downtown.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Under the hood, Sprout uses a highly articulated body with 29 degrees of freedom to support smooth movement and expressive gestures.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
That puts much more pressure to perform on Valentine's Day, whether through big gestures or gifts.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Members hold signs at busy traffic intersections and highway overpasses during morning and afternoon rush hours.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Catherine O'Hara's cause of death, explained Someone experiencing a PE might not present any symptoms; common signs include shortness of breath, chest discomfort, raised heart rate and unusually low blood pressure.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Every now and again, a brand-new book waves its knowing hand.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Dancer Natalie Reid approaches to take the barstool beside her, but Swift waves her away because the seat is reserved for her stone.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Signals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signals. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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