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
The second, from the top of the key, came with a signature gesture — Plum pointing to her veins, signaling the ice running through them. Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025 Both get some sharp one-liners and there are plot gestures that try to deepen our sense of each character. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025
Verb
Curated with care, the lineup honored the past, spotlighted the present, and gestured toward the future. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 15 Apr. 2025 Full denuclearization, as Trump has gestured at, is too much to expect. Rose Gottemoeller, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
Noun
  • Phillips had a setback in his recovery, but all signs are positive for everyone else.
    Peter O’Malley, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
  • Tremors can be a sign of MS, Parkinson's disease, stroke, or another neurological condition.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • Published on May 21, 2025 By Jaclyn Trop Photo : David Westphal, courtesy of Cadillac Photo : David Westphal, courtesy of Cadillac The model is a four-door hatchback presenting a mid-century modern aesthetic.
    Jaclyn Trop, Robb Report, 21 May 2025
  • Their only early scoring was courtesy of back-to-back two-out doubles from Freeman and Smith in the bottom of the fourth.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Democrats immediately motioned to adjourn, but the vote failed on party lines.
    Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
  • Sean Diddy Combs, center, motions a heart sign to his family in attendance as he is escorted out of lock-up by US Marshals, on the first day of trial, Monday, May 12, 2025, in New York.
    Mark Prussin, CBS News, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • The $650 billion staffing industry is shifting beneath our feet, and the clearest signal is this: traditional staffing companies are starting to look more like tech platforms.
    John Winsor, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Turn to face the shore, tread water, and signal for help by shouting or waving your arms.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • Rather than crying, the resilient bride smiled and waved at everyone as she was wheeled out of the party on a gurney, where guests gave her a grand exit at the back of the building with wedding sparklers.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms.
    Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • Given Moscow’s reticence over peace talks, momentum seems to be growing for taking a more aggressive posture backing sanctions.
    Emily Brooks, The Hill, 28 May 2025
  • Analyze threats and vulnerabilities to strengthen organizational security posture.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • For in this ritual, there is no veil between life and death.
    Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • The other Cuban beauty wedding rituals included a milk and honey face mask in the days leading up to the wedding (to brighten the skin), and to wash your hair the night before with rainwater (for good luck)—and are both practically required.
    Carolina Dalia Gonzalez, Vogue, 22 May 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 2 Jun. 2025.

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