symbolic gesture
noun
: an act that has no purpose or effect other than to show support, respect, etc.
The president's visit was mainly a symbolic gesture.
Examples of symbolic gesture in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The resolution doesn’t have the force of law but is still a symbolic gesture of disapproval of Trump’s action.
—
Jared Gans, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2025
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden greeted Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the White House for a morning tea, continuing a symbolic gesture in the transfer of power.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2025
Unfortunately, as the Los Angeles Times reported in 2019, adoption of inclusion riders remained more a symbolic gesture than one actually put into practice.
—Kristen Lopez, Variety, 7 Feb. 2025
Neither will a symbolic gesture from the bench of a judge whom Trump and many of his supporters believe is biased against him.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic gesture
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Jared Gans, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2025
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden greeted Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the White House for a morning tea, continuing a symbolic gesture in the transfer of power.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2025
Unfortunately, as the Los Angeles Times reported in 2019, adoption of inclusion riders remained more a symbolic gesture than one actually put into practice.
—Kristen Lopez, Variety, 7 Feb. 2025
Neither will a symbolic gesture from the bench of a judge whom Trump and many of his supporters believe is biased against him.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for symbolic gesture
Cite this Entry
“Symbolic gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symbolic%20gesture. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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