gesture 1 of 2

noun

ˈjes-chər How to pronounce gesture (audio)
Definition of gesturenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in courtesy
an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners sent a handwritten thank-you note as a gesture of his gratitude

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
As a third control option beyond the buttons and the touch screen, the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 supports one-handed gestures. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026 When Greenspan agreed to the project Tesla CEO Elon Musk hadn’t yet performed his gesture widely likened to a Nazi salute. — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
Usher then gestured for the fan to be removed from the stage. — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026 The novel also alludes to contemporary examples of violence in the country’s current, democratic system, gesturing to the ways in which brutality persists in Brazil as state and corporate power continue to commit violence with near impunity. — Literary Hub, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for gesture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gesture
  1. sign
  2. courtesy
  3. motion
  4. signal
  5. politeness
  6. wave
  7. posture
  8. ritual
Noun
  • There are signs that domestic hardware is beginning to take a larger role.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The remnants of the Boston Market restaurant sign are still visible … but not for long.
    — Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of sign
Noun
  • The latter come courtesy of Gravy, a puppet Dirnt used back in the day to entertain his pals on the road that inspired a cinematic counterpart.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Wednesday’s game pits French champions and Champions League winners PSG against Premier League side Villa, who lifted the Europa League courtesy of a 3-0 win over Freiburg.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of courtesy
Verb
  • After listening for several seconds, Gulbeyan motioned for arena security.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Faragna motioned to Nardulli to step to one side and spoke into his ear with circumspection.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of motion
Noun
  • Brent crude futures ended last week down more than 7% following signals from Washington that an agreement with Tehran to unblock the vital maritime chokepoint was in sight.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
  • That’s a key signal that the humanoid robot market is at least starting to mature from novelty – and dance shows – toward utility.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of signal
Noun
  • She’s used to chief stews who yell and is thrown off by Aesha’s politeness.
    — Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Southworth started focusing more specifically on civility, decency, and politeness after COVID, when many employees were fleeing the hospitality industry—all while the membership at their clubs was doubling.
    — Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026
Definition of politeness
Verb
  • More than two dozen friends and family traveled from Ohio and waved a Marietta College flag for each of his plate appearances.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Maia Kealoha, who plays Lilo, came onstage to introduce the film as a fuzzy Stitch waved to the crowd from onscreen.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of wave
Noun
  • Díaz’s focus in his early work Friday was fixing his posture.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Firefighters utilized a defensive posture and aerial master streams to fight the fire, Pisani added.
    — Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of posture
Noun
  • Pilgrims walk between temples, rest in historic ryokan and keep to contemplative daily rituals that discourage mass, high-speed tourism.
    — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • In his shop, Pizarro Santana supplies the items needed to practice traditional rituals.
    — Delia Sauer, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of ritual

Browse Nearby Words

gestural
gesture
gestured
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gesture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gesture. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gesture

Nglish: Translation of gesture for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gesture

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