We communicated with each other by gesture.
Source: tatoeba (23250)
Gesture
/ˈd͡ʒɛs.t͡ʃɚ/
Synonyms for "gesture" (241 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (49)
Strong matches (72)
doingsdumb showexpressionfavorflagfolkwayformalitygambitgentle hintgesticulategesticulationgesture languagegesturesglimmerglimmeringgoings-onguisehand signalhigh signhint
Noun(20 words)
emotefillipingfistflickersflingflirtingfrench actegenuflectiongesticulategesticulationsgestural expressiongesture signalinggesturinggreetinghand gestureshand signhand signalshead tiltindicate patternmanual sign
Adjective(6 words)
emotional gestureexpressive movementformal bowgerman zeichengestural cuemechanical signal
Verb(5 words)
Related words (120)
Noun(55 words)
motion adjectivemotion causemotion change examplemotion change problemmotion changedmotion demonstrationmotion description taskmotion to approvemotion verbmotion wordmotioningmove to changemudranodsofferingoverturespantomimespantomimingpinchpoint
Show 35 more words
pointingprancereachreverencesreverencingsalutesashayingshrugssignsign glossarysign language relatedsign languagessign productionsignalsignal by motionsignals desiresigningsignssilent gesturespeak courteouslyswipeswipestaptokentossestwitchuncontrolled expressionwaggleswagglingwavewavingwhiskswigwagwinkingwinks
Verb(7 words)
Adjective(7 words)
motionless statenonverbal signalingobservable signaloccitan reverénciaphysical actionroutine motionvisual action
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: motion, action, actions, activity, acts.
- Sentence evidence is available for gesture, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "gesture".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "gesture"
Keep "gesture" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "gesture" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "gesture", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "gesture" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
17 entriesbodily movementcommunicatecommunicationdirectional cueindicantindicationinput actioninteractionintercommunicatemotilitymotionmovemovementnonverbal communicationsignalsocial behavior
Showing 16 of 17 words.
More specific
13 entriesCollocations
10 entriesbeckon gesturefacial gesturegestural communicationgesture of goodwillgesture recognitiongesture towardgesturing towardhand gesturemake a gesturepointing gesture
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
5 entriesSample sentences
24 total sentences available.
The gesture fetched a laugh from the audience.
Source: tatoeba (50342)
Jane made an angry gesture.
Source: tatoeba (53728)
This gesture is familiar to young people.
Source: tatoeba (58331)
Showing 4 of 24 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "gesture"?
Closest matches include motion, action, actions, activity, acts.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "gesture"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.