as in to gesture
to move your arms and hands especially when speaking in an angry or emotional way
He was gesticulating wildly during his speech.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gesticulate
In the left frame, Trump is mid-monologue, lips pursed and gesticulating.
—
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2024
The classroom resounded with snickers, whispers, giggles, snarls, and whoops from the children, and furious commands from the two nuns who gesticulated—quite ineffectually—up by the blackboard, and sometimes, in exasperation, charged down the aisle between the desks to punish a miscreant.
—Rosanna Warren, Harper's Magazine, 25 June 2024
Motor or beat gestures can only occur in tandem with speech—think gesticulating to emphasize a point.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 19 June 2024
Both actors are committed to the bit, gesticulating wildly and passionately, but the specifics of their performances clash with the movie’s premise.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gesticulate 
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2024
The classroom resounded with snickers, whispers, giggles, snarls, and whoops from the children, and furious commands from the two nuns who gesticulated—quite ineffectually—up by the blackboard, and sometimes, in exasperation, charged down the aisle between the desks to punish a miscreant.
—Rosanna Warren, Harper's Magazine, 25 June 2024
Motor or beat gestures can only occur in tandem with speech—think gesticulating to emphasize a point.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 19 June 2024
Both actors are committed to the bit, gesticulating wildly and passionately, but the specifics of their performances clash with the movie’s premise.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gesticulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesticulate
Verb
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Unable to go through with it, Lucas runs back out into the mall, gesturing to his colleague that the sting came to nothing.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 2025
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During the Soviet Union’s efforts to seize control over all Berlin, Khrushchev threatened to use nuclear weapons and often seemed to lose control of his emotions when meeting Western officials—yelling, gesturing, and turning red in the face.—
Roseanne McManus,
Foreign Affairs,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Winker arrived in Queens last summer with a colorful history with Mets fans, having waved to the Citi Field crowd after a game-ending catch in 2019, and then again after a game-tying three-run home run in 2022.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
22 Jan. 2025
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Hicks walked around the Rotunda for several minutes, court documents said, unfurling and waving a flag and talking to and fist-bumping other rioters.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Celebrities have been unafraid to show some skin, and Jennie’s styling of the cape—worn without a top underneath, safe for a tasteful body chain—nodded to the trend in an elegant way, especially when styled with black dress pants.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
28 Jan. 2025
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But this nod to his daughters’ creativity and their close relationship is refreshing to see from a dad of daughters.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near gesticulate
Cite this Entry
“Gesticulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesticulate. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
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