gesture 1 of 2

1
as in sign
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

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2

gesture

2 of 2

verb

as in to motion
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

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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 gesture
Noun
Nor was there much of a budget for players’ equipment and meals, let alone small gestures that Shero insisted were necessary — such as sending flowers to the wife of a player who signed as a free agent. Rob Rossi, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025 Norris then gestures to the security team. Alexandra Duggan, Idaho Statesman, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
His discomfort evident, McClanahan immediately gestured toward the Rays bench and removed himself from the game. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2025 In an attempt to launch his counterpoint, O’Leary began animatedly gesturing and was abruptly confronted. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
Noun
  • And where the signs of new beginnings are evident everywhere.
    Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Dark Cherry Getty Images Getty Images Cherry cola hair has been on the come-up since fall 2023, and the trend—or some version of dark cherry or burgundy hair—shows no signs of slowing down in 2025.
    Avery Stone, Allure, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • United were purposeful and tenacious from the start and cruised to an early lead courtesy of a splendid solo goal from Bizet in the sixth minute.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Nintendo revealed a lot of information about the Switch 2, courtesy of yesterday's Nintendo Direct stream.
    Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Since the case was moved to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Clifton and the city have motioned to dismiss Pinyan’s lawsuit, records show.
    Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Meta motioned to end the case last April, but Boasberg denied it, ruling in November that the company must face trial.
    Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This is what happens when the federal government sends a signal that people who have lawfully been granted money by the government are actually scammers and fraudsters.
    Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Stat! Hot flashes are caused by special chemical messengers in the brain that send signals to blood vessels to flush the skin, causing sweating.
    Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Counter-protesters posted up on street corners outside the college campus, waving pro-Trump flags and gathering signatures for the latest effort to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom from office.
    Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Sallas and his team cater to both beginner and intermediate riders, educating on everything from surf etiquette and wave knowledge to performing more advanced maneuvers like cutbacks and snaps.
    Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Middle-range investors (ages 36 to 50 or so) People in this group also can afford to maintain a relatively aggressive investment posture focused largely around stocks, stock funds and the like.
    Russ Wiles, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • By taking a less confrontational and militarist posture, however, China will give the West greater dilemmas to solve.
    RANA MITTER, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • From home births to birth centers, spiritual rituals to structural advocacy, their choices aren’t just personal, but collective.
    Stephanie Long, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025
  • According to a new WalletHub survey, many consumers are planning to skip some of the holiday's traditional rituals like dyeing eggs because of high prices.
    Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Musk also has a history of doing weird gesticulations on stage.
    James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
  • Darius was also quite good but went a little too over the top with his gesticulations to come off sincere.
    Charlie Mason, TVLine, 10 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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