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as in gesture
a movement of the body or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea or feeling
quietly waiting for the signal to advance
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in outstanding
standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement
the Louisiana Purchase is cited by many historians as one of the most signal events in American history
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of signal
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
As a new year begins, this season can serve as a signal rather than a judgment.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 10 Jan. 2026
Ball certainly didn’t have any issue getting into the action, posting a team-best 11 first-quarter points on the strength of making his first three attempts and banking in a running 3-pointer off the glass at the buzzer, signaling the conclusion of the game’s initial 12 minutes.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for signal
Noun
The 23-year-old signal caller was asked about his emotions ahead of Sunday night’s wild-card round matchup.
—Verb
Consumers’ demand and its success signaled to the brand that its community was seeking out elevated and design-forward styles to shop, encouraging Alo to further explore that direction.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for signal
Noun
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On Wednesday, numerous commemorations and tributes occurred in the devastated communities and throughout the city and county of Los Angeles —including flags flying at half-staff at City Hall, county buildings and at all state buildings.—
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The mission was to show the flag, explore commercial opportunities – including routes to supply gold-mining operations – and display a little firepower.—
Noun
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At the end of Monday's live Atlas demonstration, the humanoid prototype swung its arms in a theatrical gesture to introduce a static model of the new product version of Atlas, which looked slightly different and was blue in color.—
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By integrating vision, audio, and language, IntEngine enables Nylo to coordinate speech, facial expressions, and gestures in real time.—
Verb
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The team motioned but stayed in punt formation.—
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Strange, though, motioned inside to help block an all-out Denver blitz.—
Adjective
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The Directors Guild of America has named the nominees for its 2025 awards in the outstanding directorial achievement in television, commercials and documentary categories.—
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The Hollywood Reporter snagged a nomination again for outstanding magazine overall coverage in a list that also includes The Advocate, Cosmo, Gaye Magazine, Out, People, Poz, Rolling Stone, Time and Variety.—
Noun
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About 30 percent of the galaxies emit radio waves, a sign that their central black holes are active.—
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The rich-looking denim alternative was a big trend in 2025, with co-signs from Hailey Bieber and Martha Stewart.—
Verb
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Demonstrators waved signs, chanted in English and Spanish and danced to music from portable speakers.—
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Good, in the driver’s seat, waves cars past her.—
Adjective
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The 37th Annual Producers Guild Awards to be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at the Fairmont Century Plaza, and will also include special honors celebrating distinguished producers whose careers reflect sustained excellence and influence.—
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Attorney, civil rights advocate and political commentator Bakari Sellers will be the event's distinguished speaker.—
Adjective
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Ribeiro, recipient of Brazil’s most prestigious literary prizes, including the Jabuti Prize, Brazilian Academy of Letters Prize, and Brazilian PEN Club Prize, is the author of fourteen works of fiction including The Impostor and As If by Magic.—
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Wimbledon June 29—July 13, 2026 Grab your finest tennis whites and get ready for the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, held in Wimbledon in southwest London.—
Cite this Entry
“Signal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signal. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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