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
Read the full Aries Daily Horoscope Taurus (April 20 - May 20) Making a sweet gesture? USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025 The show gestures toward critiques that are familiar but underdeveloped. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
The duo chatted amiably and gestured toward cooperation despite their bitter history. Will Weissert, arkansasonline.com, 25 Jan. 2025 His home seemed safe, but Matsuura gestured at flames that still crackled less than 50 yards away. James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for gesture 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
Noun
  • That’s the annual sign Javier Báez has arrived at spring training.
    Cody Stavenhagen, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
  • The cost of winning Bregman is the clearest sign thus far that the Red Sox are completing a circle of their own, getting back to being the type of franchise that prioritizes winning.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Reprinted courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers (Illustration: Kelsea Petersen / The Athletic; Photo: Stacy Revere / Getty Images) Eric Nehm is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Milwaukee Bucks.
    Eric Nehm, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Related Articles Saldaña wore a glittering dress courtesy of Thom Browne.
    Julia Teti, WWD, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Daniels motioned him from the backfield to a fullback position.
    Ted Nguyen, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
  • As the crowd of protesters surged forward, some pushing against a police barricade that blocked them from Pastor Terry Jones, O'Reilly motioned with his hands for the crowd to move back, pleading with them to keep the peace.
    Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Because under state law effective the first of the year, all such trucks are required to have directional signal lights, and turning signals must be given continuously for at least 100 feet before making a turn.
    Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Brown popped to his feet after being tackled with a quick dance move and an underhand signal for a first down.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The most common ones waved by the flagman are: Green flag: Used to start or restart a race.
    Mark Long, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
  • The message was scrawled in chalk on the pavement surrounding the park and reflected on the posters demonstrators waved and in the messages from speakers.
    Zoe Sottile, CNN, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Slouching, rounding your shoulders, or a forward head posture—when your head juts forward and is out of alignment with your spine—can stress back muscles, including your lat muscles.7 This misalignment causes the muscle to become fatigued, inflamed, and tight over time.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 8 Feb. 2025
  • Only, while the boys stood in a standard, relaxed posture, Charlotte perfectly performed the footwork for ballet position three.
    Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • These rituals will, of course, serve her well with the upcoming tour and music video drops, too.
    Akili King, Essence, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The sacrifice ritual begins The second season revealed that the group’s initial act of cannibalism was not planned or deliberate.
    Michaela Zee, Variety, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Musk also has a history of doing weird gesticulations on stage.
    James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
  • As the bit continued, Gardner increased her wildly gesticulation and rising-and-bobbing out of her chair.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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